The next meeting of the Standing Committee of Correspondents is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m., in H-139 of the US Capitol. The meeting is open to all credentialed members of the House-Senate daily press galleries.

The Committee for 2019 is as follows:

Emma Dumain, McClatchy
Kellie Mejdrich, CQ Roll Call
Jonathan Tamari, Philadelphia Inquirer
Andrew Taylor, Associated Press
Sarah D Wire, Los Angeles Times

The Senate will convene at 11:00 a.m., at which point Majority Leader McConnell is expected to move to proceed to S. 1, Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act.

At 12:30 p.m., a live quorum call and subsequent vote on the motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent senators is expected.

We expect the Senate to recess until 2:15 p.m. to accommodate caucus luncheons following the quorum call and motion to instruct.

At 2:30 p.m. their will be two cloture votes:

1. Shelby amendment (#5) the text of President Trump’s funding and immigration proposal to the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 (H.R. 268)

2. Schumer amendment (#6) (text of H.R. 268 (emergency supplemental) and CR through February 8, 2019)

2:04 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. Following Leader remarks, we expect that ML McConnell will make a motion to proceed to S.1, Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019. The time until 12:30 p.m. will be equally divided between the two Leaders or their designees. At approximately 12:30 p.m., the Senate expects a live quorum and subsequent vote on the motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent senators.

Thursday, January 24th at 2:30 pm – 2 roll call votes

• Motion to invoke cloture on McConnell for Shelby amendment #5 (The President’s funding and immigration proposal)
• Motion to invoke cloture on Schumer amendment #6 (text of H.R.268, Emergency Supplemental with CR through February 8)

1:46 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke on the government shutdown.

1:30 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke on the government shutdown.

1:06 p.m. Senator Collins spoke on the government shutdown.

12:38 p.m. Senator Kaine asked UC to take up and pass HR 21, ML McConnell objected. Senator Kaine then spoke on the government shutdown.

12:25 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke on the government shutdown and the Covington Catholic high school.

12:14 p.m. Senator Reed spoke on the government shutdown.

12:05 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the government shutdown and paid tribute to a Wyoming high school basketball coach.

11:39 a.m. Senator Portman spoke about the proposals to end the shutdown.

11:28 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke about the proposals to end the shutdown.

11:04 a.m. The Senate resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 1.

*****

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m. and will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1, Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019.

No votes are expected today.

On Thursday, cloture petitions are expected on the Shelby Amendment #5 and the Schumer Amendment #6 to the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 (H.R. 268), the vehicle for the measure to pay for the operation of the government agencies currently shut down. Cloture would ripen at 2:30 p.m., with up to two cloture votes to occur at that time. The Shelby amendment is President Trump’s proposal. The Schumer amendment is the Democratic proposal, with emergency spending for the closed agencies, through February 8.

3:40 p.m. Leader Schumer spoke about the shutdown.

3:30 Leader McConnell called up the Motion to Proceed to H.R. 268. It was agreed to by Voice Vote. He then offered a Shelby amendment #5 to H.R. 268. Leader Schumer then offered his amendment #6 to the underlying bill. Leader McConnell then filed cloture on both amendments and asked they be treated as ripened by 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, when the Senate will vote on both amendments. The Senate then resumed the Motion to Proceed to S.1, Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019.

2:37 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke about the government shutdown.

2:03 p.m. Senator Kaine asked u.c. to consider and pass. H.J.Res. 1, Making further continuing appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2019, and for other purposes. ML McConnell objected. Senator Kaine spoke about the government shutdown and the U.S. Coast Guard.

1:59 p.m. Senator Boozman asked u.c. to call up and pass H.R. 430, TANF Extension Act of 2019. The measure was passed by a voice vote.

1:45 p.m. DL Schumer spoke about the government shutdown.

1:00 p.m. The Senate convened and the Majority Leader continued the Rule 14 process on H.R. 268, making supplemental appropriations for FY 2019, the bill will be placed on the Calendar. The Majority Leader spoke about the shutdown.

*****

The Senate will convene at 1:00 p.m.  Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1, Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019.

12:23 p.m.  The Senate has adjourned until 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 22. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 1, Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act.

Senators will be given 24-hour notice before the next roll call vote is called.

During today’s session:

• Res. 25, Designating the week of January 20-26th National School Choice Week, was agreed to by unanimous consent.
• R. 268, Supplemental Appropriations for FY 2019, had its 1^st Reading.

****

11:53 a.m. Senator Warner spoke about the government shutdown.

11:52 a.m. Senator Murkowski asked u.c. to consider and pass S.Res. 25, Designating the week of January 20-26th National School Choice Week; and began Rule 14 proceedings on H.R. 268, Supplemental Appropriations for FY 2019; and asked u.c. that the Senate will adjourn following the remarks of Senator Warner.

11:25 a.m. Senator Murkowski spoke about the government shutdown.

11:03 a.m. Senator Kaine spoke about the government shutdown.

11:00 a.m. The Senate convened and resumed consideration of S. 1, Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act.

*****

The Senate will convene at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 19, 2019. No roll call votes are expected today.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1 Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019. Senator Kaine or his designee will control up to two hours and upon the use or yielding back of that time the Senate will adjourn until 1:00 pm on Tuesday, January 22^nd.

12:25 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 19th and will resume consideration of the Motion to Proceed to S. 1, Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act.

12:00 p.m. Senator Portman spoke on the government shutdown and the repercussions on Americans.

10:49 a.m. Senator Collins spoke on the Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act.

10:05 a.m. Senator Kaine spoke about the government shutdown and asked unanimous consent that S. J. Res. 1 be agreed to. Senator Lankford objected.

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume consideration of the Motion to Proceed to S. 1, Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act.

6:32 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 18th. Following Leader remarks the Senate will resume consideration of the Motion to Proceed to S. 1, Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act.

6:29 p.m. ML McConnell began wrap up and passed H.R. 259, Medicaid Extenders Act by voice vote; passed S.Res. 10, Honoring the Life of Richard Overton; and passed S.Res. 21, constituting the Minority Party’s membership on certain committees.

5:47 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about how the shutdown is affecting the Coast Guard.

5:32 p.m. Senator Daines spoke about the March for Life.

5:08 p.m. Senator Young spoke about the March for Life.

5:04 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke about the shutdown.

4:55 p.m. Senator Udall spoke about the Interior Department.

4:54 p.m. Senator Kaine asked u.c. to call up and pass H.R. 21, making appropriations for FY 2019. ML McConnell objected.

4:53 p.m. DL Schumer asked u.c. to call up and pass (with a 60 vote threshold) H.J.Res. 30, Disapproving the President’s proposal to take an action relating to the application of certain sanctions with respect to the Russian Federation. ML McConnell objected.

4:52 p.m. By a vote of 48 to 47 the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the abortion bill.

Voting YEA: 46 Republicans and Democrats Casey and Manchin.

Voting NAY: 43 Democrats, independents King and Sanders, Republicans Collins and Murkowski.

NOT VOTING: Alexander, Burr, Crapo, Graham, Paul.

4:12 p.m. The cloture vote began on the motion to proceed to the abortion bill (S. 109).

4:06 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke against the abortion bill. He spoke about the partial government shutdown.

4:05 p.m. Senator Murray spoke against the abortion bill.

4:02 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about Friday’s anti-abortion march and about the abortion bill before the Senate.

*****

The Senate will convene at 4:00 p.m. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (S. 109).

At approximately 4:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 109.

6:34 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

6:04 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about the shutdown.

6:02 p.m. Senator McConnell secured consent for the Senate to convene Thursday at 4 p.m., when it will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 109. There will be 30 minutes of debate, followed by a cloture vote on the motion to proceed.

During wrap-up, the Senate agreed to H.R. 251, as amended, a measure to extend the Homeland Security Department’s chemical facility anti-terrorism standards program.

5:51 p.m. Senator Sasse spoke about the nomination of Brian Buescher to the U.S. District Court in Nebraska.

5:40 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about the shutdown and border security.

5:26 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about the shutdown.

5:06 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about the abortion bill.

4:26 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about the shutdown.

4:18 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke about the national defense.

4:05 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the government shutdown.

3:53 p.m. Senator Burr spoke on the proposed FDA ban on menthol cigarettes.

3:39 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the Barr nomination and paid tribute to Southwest Airlines Co-founder Herb Kelleher.

3:14 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke on the Barr nomination.

3:04 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke on the government shutdown.

2:54 p.m. Senator Sasse spoke briefly about the March for Life.

2:05 p.m. Senator Ernst, Blunt, Wicker and Fischer spoke about the March for Life.

1:57 p.m. Senators Cantwell and Blumenthal spoke on the government shutdown.

1:35 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on how the shutdown is affecting and not affecting the IRS and tax returns; and on taxes in general.

1:15 p.m. Senators Barrasso and Warren spoke on immigration and the government shutdown.

1:14 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 109, regarding abortions.

1:13 p.m. By a tally of 57-42, the #Senate did NOT invoke cloture on S.J. Res. 2, a joint resolution disapproving the application of certain sanctions with respect to the Russian Federation.

Senators in favor: 45 Democrats, 11 Republicans: Boozman, Collins, Cotton, Daines, Gardner, Hawley, Kennedy, McSally, Moran and Sasse; 1 Independents: King. 

Senators voting against: 42 Republicans.

Not voting: 1 Independent: Sanders.

12:30 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.J.Res. 2, a joint resolution disapproving the President’s proposal to take an action relating to the application of certain sanctions with respect to the Russian Federation.

12:09 p.m. Senator Cruz gave tribute to staffer Joyce.

12:05 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke about the government shutdown.

11:58 a.m. Senator Isakson spoke about the government shutdown.

10:52 a.m. Senators Leahy, Murray, Harris, Cardin, Baldwin, Shaheen,  Menendez, Cortez-Masto, Blumenthal, Leahy, Udall, Stabenow, Tester, Kaine, and Schatz spoke on the government shutdown.

10:44 a.m. Senator Lee spoke on abortion.

10:36 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the government shutdown and abortion.

10:22 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on the government shutdown and S.J. Res 2.

10:09 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke on the government shutdown; SJ Res 2 and the Barr nomination.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the joint resolution disapproving the President’s proposal to take an action relating to the application of certain sanctions with respect to the Russian Federation S.J.Res.2.

At 12:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.J.Res. 2.  If cloture is not invoked, the joint resolution will be returned to the legislative calendar.

7:10 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 16th.

6:35 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on the need for Medicare.

6:30 p.m. Leader McConnell filed Cloture on S. J. Res 2. He then wrapped up the Senate saying they will come in at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday and resume S. J. Res 2. The Senate will vote on cloture at 12:30 p.m.

6:10 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about current climate in Venezuela.

5:45 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke on the government showdown and the need to pay the coastguard during this disruptive time.

5:31 p.m.  Senator Lankford spoke on beginning of life in America.

5:30 p.m. The Senate agreed to  the motion to proceed to S.J.Res, disapproving the President’s proposal to take an action relating to the application of certain sanctions with respect to the Russian Federation. 2 by a vote of 57-42.

4:47 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res 2.

4:46 p.m. The Senate did not agree to the motion to table the motion to proceed to S.J.Res 2 by a vote of 42-57.

4:14 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to table the motion to proceed to S.J.Res. 2.

4:08 p.m. ML McConnell spoke about S. 1, the shutdown, and against S.J.Res. 2. The Leader moved to table the motion to proceed to S.J.Res. 2

4:02 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the shutdown and supporting S.J.Res. 2 and offered the motion to proceed to S.J.Res. 2.

3:56 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke about the shutdown and on S.J.Res. 2.

3:45 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke supporting S.J.Res. 2.

3:38 p.m. Senator Crapo spoke against S.J.Res. 2, disapproving the President’s proposal to take an action relating to the application of certain sanctions with respect to the Russian Federation.

3:34 p.m. Senator Crapo asked u.c. that Senators Isakson, Menendez, and Crapo be recogized to speak for up to 7 minutes each. Following those remarks Senator Schumer will offer S.J.Res. 2 and ML McConell be recognized to make a motion to table at approximately 4:10 p.m.

2:51 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about military spending.

2:49 p.m. Senator Hoeven commended Senator Cramer for his remarks and spoke about the coming March for Life.

2:42 p.m. Senator Cramer spoke on the floor for the first time, about abortion.

2:36 p.m. Senators Hoeven and Cramer paid tribute to the North Dakota State football team.

2:32 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about border issues.

2:18 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke against S.J. Res 2; the government shutdown and the Barr nomination.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from the recess. Senator Warner spoke regarding S.J.Res.2,disapproving the President’s proposal to take an action relating to the application of certain sanctions with respect to the Russian Federation.

12:30 p.m. The Senate recessed until 2:15 p.m. to accommodate the weekly caucus luncheons.

11:16 a.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke on the shutdown and asked UC to take up and pass H.J. Res 1, ML McConnell objected.

11:07 a.m. Senator Cardin spoke about the shutdown and asked UC to take up and pass H.R.21, ML McConnell objected.

10:46 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the shutdown.

10:31 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the shutdown. He spoke about the Barr nomination.

10:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell took steps under Rule XIV to bring to the floor S.266, Interior Appropriations. He moved to proceed to S.1. He spoke about the partial government shutdown. He spoke about the Barr nomination.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1.

The Senate will recess to accommodate the weekly caucus luncheons from 12:30 – 2:15 p.m.

Following caucus recess, a roll call vote is expected on a motion to proceed to the consideration of S.J.Res.2,disapproving the President’s proposal to take an action relating to the application of certain sanctions with respect to the Russian Federation.

7:51 p.m.. The Senate adjourned.

7:04 p.m. Senators Bennet, Hassan and Casey spoke on the government shutdown.

7:02 p.m. ML McConnell wraps up for the day.  S Res 17 was passed by UC.  HR 266 had its first reading.  UC that the Senate adjourn until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1; following remarks by Senate Democrats.

6:15 p.m. Senators Murray, Kaine, Warner and Udall spoke on the government shutdown.

6:14 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell offered a motion to reconsider.

6:13 p.m. Cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to S.1; 50-43. Democrats in favor: Jones, Manchin and Sinema. Republicans against: Majority Leader McConnell changed his vote to no in order to offer a motion to reconsider. Senators not voting: Five Republicans: Burr, Crapo, Isakson, Moran and Perdue. Two Democrats: Duckworth and Durbin.

5:30 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1.

4:34 p.m. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen spoke about the shutdown.

4:11 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about the shutdown.

4:02 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the shutdown.

3:36 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about border security.

3:03 p.m. Senator McConnell spoke about border security and the partial government shutdown.

*****

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1.

At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will conduct a cloture vote on the motion to proceed.