The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following Leader remarks, will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #69, Andrea Palm, to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Two votes at 11:30 a.m.:

1. Confirmation of the Palm nomination.
2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #65 Cynthia Marten to be Deputy Secretary of Education.

Following the cloture vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

If cloture is invoked on the Marten nomination, at 2:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Additional roll call votes are possible in relation to S.J.Res.15, True Lender CRA, and a motion to discharge the nomination of Chiquita Brooks-Lasure to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from the Finance Committee.

Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations:

1. Executive Calendar #108, Ronald Stroman to be a Governor of the US Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2021.
2. Executive Calendar #109, Ronald Stroman to be a Governor of the US Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2028.
3. Executive Calendar #110,  Amber McReynolds to be a Governor of the US Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2026.
4. Executive Calendar #112, Donet Graves, Jr. to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce.

6:26 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

6:23 p.m. Senator Smith wrapped up for the day.

6:15p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the past 100 days under the Biden administration.

5:30 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Andrea Joan Palm to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services. Cloture was invoked by a vote of 62-35.

5:11 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on employment.

4:48 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on law enforcement and election fraud.

4:26 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on vulnerable supply chains.

4:18 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke in support of Andrea Joan Palm to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services.

4:08 p.m. Senator Tuberville spoke on education.

4:00 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on unemployment benefits in the covid relief bill.

3:50 p.m. The Senate is in executive session to resume consideration of of Executive Calendar #69, Andrea Joan Palm, of Wisconsin, to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services.

3:45 p.m. Leader Schumer filed cloture on cal. #109 and #110 (McReynolds) postal service nominations and  #112 (Graves) dep Sec. Department of Commerce

3:45 p.m. Leader Schumer filed cloture on cal. #109 and #110 (McReynolds) postal service nominations and  #112 (Graves) dep Sec. Department of Commerce

3:40 p.m. Leader Schumer spoke on the legislative calendar of the Senate during this work period.

3:30 p.m. Leader McConnell spoke on the current covid restrictions and vaccinations. He followed with the jobs report and possible inflation.

3:00 p.m. The Senate is in a period of morning business.

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. today of Executive Calendar #69, Andrea Joan Palm, of Wisconsin, to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services with a cloture vote on the nomination at 5:30 p.m.

Cloture has also been filed on the nomination of Cynthia Marten to be Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

4:00 p.m. The Senate convened for a pro forma session, Senator Whitehouse presided and no business was conducted.

The Senate will return for business on Monday May 10^th at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Andrea Palm to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, with a cloture vote on the nomination at 5:30 p.m.

Cloture has also been filed on the nomination of Cynthia Marten to be Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 12:45 p.m. No business was conducted. Senator Casey presided.

The Senate will conduct one additional pro forma session on Thursday May 6th at 4:00 p.m.

The Senate will return for business on Monday May 10^th at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Andrea Palm to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, with a cloture vote on the nomination at 5:30 p.m.

Cloture has also been filed on the nomination of Cynthia Marten to be Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs

5:11 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

4:48 p.m. Senator Kaine wrapped up for the day.

Passed in wrap-up:

Adopted S. Res 189 regarding the University of Kentucky’s women’s volleyball team.

Passed S. 321, awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the “Six Triple Eight”.

Adopted en bloc: S. Res 196, regarding a national day of awareness for missing and murdered native women and girls; S. Res 197 regarding silver star service banner day; S. Res 198 regarding teacher appreciation week; S Res 199 regarding attacks in Atlanta; and S Res 200 regarding Asian American and Pacific Islander hate crimes.

HR 2630 regarding the emergency scheduling of fentanyl analogues act. 

Confirmed the following nominations:

Bill Nelson to be Administrator of NASA.

Richard Sauber to be General Counsel for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Victoria Nuland to be Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Gayle Manchin to be Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission

4:16 p.m. Senators Cornyn and Blackburn spoke on the address last night by President Biden.

3:48 p.m. Senators Murkowski, Sullivan, Blumenthal and Lee spoke on S. 593, the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act.

2:40 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on President Biden’s address to congress.

2:35 p.m. Senator Duckworth paid tribute to her staffer Kaitlyn Fahey.

2:34 p.m. By a vote of 89-2, S. 914, as amended was passed. Voting no: Senators Cruz and Lee. Not voting: Cantwell, Cardin, Cramer, Moran, Paul, Rounds, Shelby, Tillis and Van Hollen.

1:35 p.m. The Senate began voting on the passage of S. 914-amend the Safe Drinking Water Act.

1:32 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke in support of the water infrastructure bill.

1:21 p.m. Senator Carper spoke on the water infrastructure bill.

1:15 p.m. Senator Capitol spoke on the water infrastructure bill.

1:13 p.m. The Senate agreed to H.R. 2630, an act to amend the temporary reauthorization and study of the emergency scheduling of fentanyl analogues act to extend it until October 2021 on fentanyl related substances, by voice vote.

1:07 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on Fentanyl.

1:06 p.m. Lee amendment #1472 was not agreed to, 41-54.

Republicans voting no: Blunt, Capito, Collins, Graham, and Tuberville.

Senators not voting: Cantwell, Cramer, Paul, Rounds, and Shelby.

12:27 p.m. The Senate began voting on Lee amendment #1472 to S.914, the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021. 60 vote threshold.

12:26 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke in opposition to Lee amendment #1472.

12:25 p.m. The Senate agreed to the Kennedy amendment #1469 by voice vote.

12:25 p.m. Senators Carper and Capito spoke in support of Kennedy amendment #1469.

12:24 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke on his amendment #1469.

12:24 p.m. The Senate agreed to Shaheen amendment #1461 by voice vote.

12:23 p.m. Senator Capito spoke in support of amendment #1461.

12:23 p.m. Senator Carper spoke in support of amendment #1461.

12:22 p.m. Senator Collins spoke in support of amendment #1461.

12:21 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke in support of her amendment, #1461.

12:20 p.m. The Rubio/Scott amendment #1471 was not agreed to by a vote of 14 to 81.

Senators voting yes: Burr, Cornyn, Crapo, Cruz, Kelly, Lee, Ossof, Risch, Romney, Rubio, Scott (FL), Sinema, Tillis, and Warnock.

Senators not voting: Cantwell, Cramer, Paul, Rounds, and Shelby.

11:37 a.m. The Senate began voting on the Rubio/Scott amendment #1471 to S. 914 the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act 2021.

11:36 a.m. Senator Capitol spoke against the Rubio/Scott admt. #1471.

11:31 a.m. Senator Rubio spoke on the water infrastucture bill and asked unanimous consent to make a modification to Rubio/Scott admt. #1471 regarding a small typo. Senator Carper objected.

11:19 a.m. Senator Carper spoke on the water infrastructure bill.

11:13 a.m. Senator Lee spoke on the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act.

11:00 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the Green New Deal.

10:35 a.m. Senator Carper spoke on the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021.

10:25 a.m. RL McConnell spoke about President Biden’s address to congress.

S.198, Congratulating the University of Kentucky Women’s Volleyball Team for Winning the 2020 National Collegiate Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship, was passed by unanimous consent.

10:08 a.m. ML Schumer spoke about President Biden’s address to congress. He also filed cloture on:

Cynthia Minette Marten, CA, to be Deputy Secretary of State (Political Affairs).

Andrea Joan Palm, WI, to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and will resume consideration of S. 914, Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 with the following amendments in order:

• Rubio/Scott #1471 (as modified)
• Shaheen #1461
• Kennedy #1469
• Lee #1472

At 11:30 the Senate will vote on the amendments in the order listed with 60 affirmative votes required for the adoption of the Lee amendment and also for passage of the bill. At 1:45 p.m. the Senate will vote on passage of the bill.

8:25 p.m. The Senate will adjourn upon the dissolution of the Joint Session of Congress and will reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 29. They will resume consideration of S. 914, Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 with the following amendments in order:

• Rubio/Scott #1471 (as modified)
• Shaheen #1461
• Kennedy #1469
• Lee #1472

At 11:30 the Senate will vote on the amendments in the order listed with 60 affirmative votes required for the adoption of the Lee amendment and also for passage of the bill. At 1:45 p.m. the Senate will vote on passage of the bill.

Agreed to during wrap-up:

• S. Res. 186 Honoring the humanitarian work of Aristides de Souza Mendes
• S. Res. 187-Congratulating the University of Wisconsin Badgers on winning the 2021 NCAA women’s ice hockey championship

5:26 p.m. The Senate recessed until 8:25 p.m.

5:16 p.m. By a vote of 52-42, S .J. Res. 14 was agreed to. Republicans voting aye: Collins, Graham and Portman. Not voting: Cantwell, Cramer, Paul, Rounds, Shelby and Toomey.

4:19 p.m. By a vote of 68-26 the nomination of Samantha Powers to be Administrator of USAID. Republicans voting aye: Blunt, Burr, Capito, Collins, Cornyn, Crapo, Fischer, Graham, Inhofe, Johnson, McConnell, Moran, Murkowski, Portman, Risch, Romney, Sasse, Wicker and Young. Not voting: Cantwell, Cramer, Paul, Rounds, Shelby and Toomey.

3:31 p.m. The Senate began voting on Power nomination.

3:24 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about Worker’s memorial day.

3:10 p.m. Senator Scott of Florida spoke about the rising costs of consumer goods.

3:05 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the Fentanyl crisis.

2:58 p.m. Senator Booker spoke briefly on the Fentanyl crisis and on supporting the Powers nomination.

2:48 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke on the Fentanyl crisis and asked unanimous consent to call up and pass S. 1410. Senator Booker objected.

2:02 p.m. Senators Ernst, Barrasso, Portman, Hoeven, Tillis, and Marshall spoke about bipartisanship and President Biden’s first 100 days in office.

1:47 p.m. Senator Carper spoke supporting S.J.Res. 14.

1:36 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke on the proposed tax increases.

1:27 p.m. Senator Markey spoke on S.J.Res. 14, the Methane CRA.

1:22 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke against the Powers nomination.

1:20 p.m. By a vote 67-28, cloture was invoked on the nomination of Samantha Power to be administrator of USAID. Republicans voting aye: Senators Blunt, Burr, Capito, Collins, Cornyn, Crapo, Fischer, Graham, Johnson, McConnell, Moran, Murkowski, Portman, Risch, Romney, Sasse, Wicker and Young. Not voting: Cantwell, Cramer, Paul, Rounds and Shelby.

12:13 p.m. Senator King spoke in support of S.J. Res. 14.

11:37 a.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke in support of S.J. Res 14.

11:16 a.m. Senator Casey spoke about Worker’s Memorial Day.

11:11 a.m. Senator Capito spoke against S.J. Res. 14.

10:55 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about tonight’s joint session and about President Biden’s policies.

10:36 a.m. Senator Heinrich spoke about S.J. Res 14.

10:26 p.m. Senator McConnell spoke about tonight’s joint session, the Biden infrastructure/jobs plan, Iran and also bipartisanship.

10:13 a.m. The motion to proceed to S. J .Res. 14 -providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ‘‘Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review’’ [Methane]- was agreed to by voice vote. Senator Schumer spoke about the resolution, the infrastructure bill and about the State of the Union speech.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Following Leader remarks, ML Schumer is expected to move to proceed to S.J.Res.14, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ‘‘Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review’’ [Methane].

Under the rule, once a motion to proceed is agreed to (expected voice vote) there will be up to 10 hours of debate equally divided prior to a vote on adoption of the joint resolution.

At 12:30 p.m., the cloture motion will ripen on Executive Calendar #61, Samantha Power, of Massachusetts, to be Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development. At that time, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture.

The Senate is expected to vote on confirmation of the Power nomination and on adoption of S.J.Res.14 during Wednesday’s session.

At 9:00 p.m., President Joe Biden will address a Joint Session of Congress from the Hall of the House of Representatives in the U.S. Capitol. The Senate will begin gathering in the Senate Chamber at 8:15 p.m. to proceed as a body to the Hall of the House.

7:10 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will meet on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

Senator Duckworth began wrap up:

• Adopted by voice vote: S.Res. 180, Supporting the designation of the week of April 26-30th, as National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week

• Passed by unanimous consent: S. 848, A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to improve the service obligation verification process for teach grant recipients, and for other purposes.

7:06 p.m. The Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to S. 914, Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act by voice vote.

7:05 p.m. By a vote of 92-2, the Senate invoked cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 914, Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act.

6:31 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 914, Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021.

6:33 p.m. The Kahl nomination was confirmed on a party line tally of 50-45.

Not voting: 5 Republicans: Blunt, Cramer, Paul, Rounds and Shelby.

5:45 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the Kahl nomination.

5:37 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke against the Kahl nomination.

5:14 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke against the Kahl nomination.

4:33 p.m. Senators Inhofe and Capito spoke supporting the Safe Drinking Water Act.

4:18 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about President Biden’s address.

4:05 p.m. Senator Bennett spoke on climate change.

3:59 p.m. Senator Sinema spoke on public service.

3:51 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke on the water infrastructure bill.

3:50 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the nomination of Colin Kahl to be Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, 49-44.

Not voting: GOP Blunt, Cramer, Paul, Rounds, Shelby and Scott of FL. Dem: Whitehouse.

3:10 p.m. The McCabe nomination was confirmed, 52-42.

Voting yes: 3 Republicans: Collins, Grassley, and Murkowski.

Voting no: Manchin.

Not voting: Blunt, Cramer, Paul, Rounds, Scott (FL), and Shelby.

2:29 p.m. The Senate began a vote on confirmation of the nomination of Janet McCabe to be Deputy Administrator for the EPA.

2:20 p.m. Senator Carper spoke in support of the McCabe nomination.

2:16 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke against the Kahl nomination.

12:51 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the McCabe nomination, 52-42.

Voting yes: 3 Republicans: Collins, Grassley, and Murkowski.

Voting no: Manchin.

Not voting: Blunt, Cramer, Paul, Rounds, Scott (Fl), and Shelby.

12:16 p.m. The Senate began a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Janet McCabe to be Deputy Administrator for the EPA.

12:13 p.m. The Miller nomination was confirmed, 81-13.

Voting no: 14 Republicans: Blackburn, Braun, Cotton, Crapo, Cruz, Hawley, Inhofe, Kennedy, Lee, Risch, Scott (FL), Scott (SC), Sullivan and Tuberville.

11:30 a.m. The Senate began a vote on confirmation of the nomination of Jason Scott Miller to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget.

11:29 a.m. Senator Peters spoke supporting the Miller nomination.

11:11 a.m. Senator Fischer spoke on infrastructure.

10:31 a.m. Senator McConnell spoke on drug trafficking, the McCabe nomination, and the defense budget.

10:09 a.m. ML Schumer spoke supporting the pending Miller, McCabe and Kahl nominations.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of the nomination of Jason Scott Miller to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget, post-cloture.

At 11:30 a.m., the Senate will proceed to 2 roll call votes relative to the following:

• Confirmation of the nomination of Jason Scott Miller to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget.
• Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Janet Garvin McCabe to be Deputy Administrator of the EPA.

At 2:30 p.m., if cloture is invoked on the McCabe nomination, all post-cloture time will be considered expired, and the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes relative to the following:

• Confirmation of the nomination of Janet Garvin McCabe to be Deputy Administrator of the EPA.
• Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Colin Hackett Kahl  to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

If cloture is invoked on the Kahl nomination, the confirmation vote is expected to occur during Tuesday’s session. Following disposition of the Kahl nomination, the Senate would proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.914, Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021. Please stay tuned to @Senatepress for additional vote timing information.

6:21 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will next convene on Tuesday, April 27^th at 10:00 a.m. Following leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Jason Scott Miller to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget, post-cloture.

At 11:30 a.m. there are two roll call votes:

1. Confirmation of the Miller nomination.
2. Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Janet McCabe to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Following the cloture vote on the McCabe nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. for weekly caucus lunches.

If cloture is invoked on the McCabe nomination, all post-cloture will be considered expired at 2:30 p.m. the Senate will vote on confirmation.

Following disposition of the McCabe nomination, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Colin Kahl to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. If cloture is invoked, a confirmation vote is expected during Tuesday’s session.

Following disposition of the Kahl nomination, the Senate would vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.914, Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021.

During wrap-up:

1. Began the Rule 14 process to place S.1364, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, on the calendar.

5:17 p.m. Cloture was invoked on Miller by a vote of 82 to 13.

Senators voting NO: Blackburn, Braun, Cotton, Crapo, Cruz, Hawley, Kennedy, Lee, Risch, Scott (FL), Scott (SC), Sullivan, and Tuberville.

Senators NOT voting: Cardin, Cramer, Murray, Paul, and Rounds.

5:31 p.m. Roll call began on the motion to invoke cloture on Jason Miller to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget.

5:26 p.m. Senator Peters spoke on the confirmation of Deanne Criswell to be administrator of FEMA.

5:10 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on the first 100 days of President Biden’s term.

5:03 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke on teachers in Arkansas.

4:50 p.m. Senator Tuberville spoke on the defense budget and paid tribute to Curtis T. Sprouse.

4:34 p.m. Senator Sullivan called for the resignation of John Kerry as a member of President Biden’s National Security Council.

4:17 p.m. Senator Leahy continued his remarks on intellectual property and spoke on the power of the purse.

4:04 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on the water infrastructure bill, the methane C.R.A., President Biden’s first 100 days, and he filed cloture on the nomination of Samantha Powers to be administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

4:00 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about intellectual property.

3:32 p.m. Senator McConnell spoke on the University of Kentucky women’s basketball team winning the NCAA championship, infrastructure, and President Biden’s foreign policy.

3:02 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the first 100 days of the Biden administration.

3:00 p.m. The Senate convened.

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of Executive Calendar #58, Jason Miller to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget.

At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on cloture on the Miller nomination.

Cloture has also been filed on the following:

1. Executive Calendar #54, Janet McCabe to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

2. Executive Calendar #68, Colin Kahl to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

3. Motion to proceed to S.914, Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021.

5:05 p.m. the Senate adjourned.

5:02 p.m. Senator Baldwin wrapped up for the day. The nomination of Deanne Criswell to be Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency was agreed to by unanimous consent.

4:30 p.m. Senator Carper commemorated earth day.

4:12 p.m. Senator Collins spoke on the Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act.

3:53 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on immigration.

3:40 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke on the Alaskan of he week, regarding the breakup of the ice ahead of spring and summer. He paid tribute to Beth Trowbridge.

3:15 p.m Senator Portman spoke on opiod prescriptions and drug abuse.

2:55 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about unemployment benefits and the pandemic.

2:35 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke on recently capsized vessels.

2:25 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke supporting the hate crimes legislation and suggested it does not go far enough. Senator Kennedy also spoke about the opioid crisis. Senator Kennedy asked unanimous consent to call up and pass, S.957, A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that certain medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs have physical locations for the disposal of controlled substances medications with a Kennedy amendment was passed by unanimous consent.

2:19 p.m. Senator Cantwell spoke supporting the hate crimes legislation.

2:18 p.m. ML Leader Schumer filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Cal. #34, S.914, Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021.

2:17 p.m. ML Schumer filed cloture on Executive Calendar #58 Jason Scott Miller to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget.

2:16 p.m. ML Schumer filed cloture on Executive Calendar #68 Colin Hackett Kahl to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

2:15 p.m. ML Schumer filed cloture on Executive Calendar #54 Janet Garvin McCabe to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

2:14 p.m. ML Schumer filed cloture on Executive Calendar #59 Deanne Bennett Criswell to be Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.

2:13 p.m. The Senate passed S. 937, Covid-19 Hate Crimes, as amended by a vote of 94-1. Voting against: Senator Hawley.

Not voting: Senators Blackburn, Klobuchar, Lee, Paul & Smith.

1:45 p.m. The Senate began a vote on passage of S. 937,
COVID-19 Hate Crimes, as amended. (60 vote affirmative threshold)

1:43 p.m. Senators Hirono and Schumer spoke supporting the hate crimes legislation.

1:42 p.m. The Blackburn amendment was not agreed to, 46-51 with Republicans Blunt, Collins and Hawley joining all Democrats and Independents against. Senators Klobuchar, Lee and Smith did not vote.

1:11 p.m. Roll call vote began on the Blackburn amendment with a 60 vote threshold.

1:10 p.m. The Lee amendment was not agreed to on a party line tally of 49-48 with 2 Democrats: Klobuchar and Smith and Republican Lee absent. (60 vote threshold)

12:28 p.m. Roll call vote began on the Lee amendment with a 60 vote threshold.

12:26 p.m. The Cruz-Kennedy amendment was not agreed to on a party line tally of 49-48 with 2 Democrats: Klobuchar and Smith and Republican Lee absent. (60 vote threshold)

11:46 a.m. Roll call vote began on the Cruz-Kennedy amendment, with a 60 vote threshold.

11:27 a.m. Senator Collins, Cotton, Hirono and Cruz spoke on S. 937, Covid-19 hate crimes legislation.

11:16 a.m. Senator Kaine spoke supporting the House legislation on DC statehood.

11:13 a.m. Senator Moran spoke on the hate crimes legislation.

11:06 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on infrastructure.

11:00 a.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on the hate crimes legislation.

10:48 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke on climate change.

10:30 a.m. RL McConnell spoke on the Paris climate agreement and on election laws.

10:12 a.m. ML Schumer spoke supporting the Anti-Asian Hate Crime legislation, on DC statehood, on methane emissions and on Armenian genocide.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.937, hate crimes legislation.

On Wednesday evening, the cloture motions with respect to Hirono amendment #1445 and S.937 were withdrawn.

At 11:30 a.m., the Senate will vote in relation Cruz-Kennedy amendment #1456, Lee amendment #1425, and Blackburn amendment #1458. Those amendments are the only amendments in order. Following disposition of those amendments, by unanimous consent, Hirono amendment #1445, as amended if amended, will be agreed to. Then, the Senate will vote on passage of S.937, as amended. There will be four minutes of debate equally divided prior to each vote. Each vote on the amendments and on the bill is subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold.

Thursday, April 22^nd at 11:30 a.m. – 4 roll call votes expected (60-vote thresholds):

• 1. Cruz-Kennedy amendment #1456 (re: Prohibiting discrimination in higher education)
• 2. Lee amendment #1425 (re: Report on religious liberty during the pandemic)
• 3. Blackburn amendment  #1458
• 4. Passage of S.937, Hate crimes legislation, as amended.

8:09 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 22. They will resume consideration of S. 937, Covid-19 hate crimes bill and there will be four votes at 11:30 on the following amendments and on final passage:

(60 affirmative votes required for all).

• Cruz-Kennedy #1456
• Lee #1425
• Blackburn #1458
• Final Passage S. 937 as amended

During wrap-up:

Agreed to, S.Res. 168-Congratulating the NW Missouri State University Bearcats men’s basketball team on winning the NCAA Division II championship

Agreed to, S. Res. 169-Honoring the life and legacy of William Robert Bobby “Slick” Leonard

Agreed to, S. Res 170-relating to the death of Walter Mondale

Agreed to, H. Con. Res. 30-providing for a joint session of congress  to receive a message from the President

Agreed to, S. Res. 143-honor and recognize the patriotism and service  to the US by Veteran service organizations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

7:07 p.m. Senator Moran spoke against increasing the size of the Supreme Court.

6:57 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about the infrastructure bill.

6:56 p.m. By a party-line vote of 50-50, with the Vice President voting affirmative, the Kahl nomination was discharged from the Armed Services Committee and placed on the Executive Calendar.

5:58 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to discharge the Kahl nomination.

5:49 p.m. Senator Hagerty spoke against the Kahl nomination.

5:18 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke against the Kahl nomination.

5:07 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about synthetic opioids.

4:57 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke about Fentanyl.

4:18 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about Oregonian Chris Meyer.

4:06 p.m. Senator Tuberville spoke against the Kahl nomination.

3:57 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke against the Kahl nomination.

3:36 p.m. Senator Sullivan and Senator Scott (FL) spoke about the cruise industry. Senator Sullivan asked UC that the Senate pass S. 1105. Senator Murray objected.

3:16 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke against the Kahl nomination.

3:10 p.m. Senator Schumer made a motion to discharge the Senate Armed Services Committee from consideration of the nomination of Colin Kahl to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

3:07 p.m. By a vote of 51-49 the nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General was confirmed.

2:30 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the Gupta nomination.

2:28 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke in support of the Gupta nomination.

2:22 p.m. Senator Marshall spoke about the infrastructure bill.

2:17 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about the infrastructure bill.

2:12 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the infrastructure bill.

2:08 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about the infrastructure bill.

2:03 p.m. Senator Cramer spoke about the infrastructure bill.

1:58 p.m. Senator Lummis spoke about the infrastructure bill.

1:49 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about the infrastructure bill.

1:42 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke about the infrastructure bill.

1:13 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke in support of the Gupta nomination.

1:01 p.m. Senator Booker spoke in support of the Gupta nomination.

12:41 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke in support of the Gupta nomination.

12:22 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke against the Gupta nomination.

12:20 p.m. By a vote of 51-49, cloture was invoked on the nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General.

11:35 a.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General.

11:29 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the voting rights bill.

11:15 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the Gupta nomination.

11:06 a.m. Senator McConnell spoke about the infrastructure bill and also about the Gupta nomination.

10:50 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the Chauvin verdict and also spoke about systemic bias in our society.

10:49 a.m. Passed by UC. Adm. John C. Aquilino to be Admiral.

10:30 a.m. The Senate convened.

The Senate will convene at 10:30am. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of the nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General. At 11:30am, the cloture motion on the Gupta nomination will ripen and the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Gupta nomination.

If cloture is invoked, there will be up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate time followed by a roll call vote on confirmation of the Gupta nomination.

Upon disposition of the Gupta nomination, it is expected Senator Schumer will move to discharge the Senate Armed Services Committee from consideration of the nomination of Colin Kahl to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. There will then be up to 4 hours of debate followed by a roll call vote on the motion to discharge the Kahl nomination from the Armed Services Committee.