The Standing Committee will hold its next meeting on Monday, April 29th at 4:00 p.m. in the Senate Press Gallery.  All credentialed members of the press gallery are welcome to attend.

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 4:30 p.m. Senator Perdue presided, and no business was conducted.

The Senate will next convene for business on Monday, April 29 at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of the nomination of William Cooper to be General Counsel of the Department of Energy; with a cloture vote on the nomination at 5:30 p.m.

Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations:

• Clarke Cooper to be an Assistant Secretary of State Political-Military Affairs
• Gordon Hartogensis to be Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
• Campbell Barker to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas
• Andrew Brasher to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama
• Rodolfo Ruiz to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida
• Raul Arias-Marxuach to be United States District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico
• Joshua Wolson to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 9:00 a.m. Senator Ernst presided, and no business was conducted.

The Senate convened at 11:45 a.m. today for a pro forma session only, with no business conducted. Senator Blunt presided.

The Senate will next convene at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, April 22nd for a pro forma session only.

The Senate convened for a pro forma session only. Senator Sullivan presided and no business was conducted.

The Senate will next convene for a pro forma session on Thursday, April 18 at 11:45 a.m.

5:03 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

5:02 p.m. ML McConnell announced the pro forma schedule for the recess:

• Monday April 15 at 3:00 p.m.
• Thursday April 18 at 11:45 a.m.
• Monday April 22 at 9:00 a.m.
• Thursday April 25 at 4:30 p.m.

The Senate will next convene for business on Monday, April 29 at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of the nomination of William Cooper to be General Counsel of the Department of Energy; with a cloture vote on the nomination at 5:30 p.m.

4:54 p.m. ML McConnell wrapped up for the evening and week. The following were confirmed by voice vote:

• Drew Wrigley to be US Attorney for the District of North Dakota
• Wing Chau to be US Marshal for the District of Rhode Island
• Ramona Dohman to be US Marshal for the District of Minnesota
• Nick Proffitt to be US Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia
• S. RES. 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, and 168
• H Res 23, regarding awareness about preventing child abductions
• Daniel Rosenblum to be Ambassador to Uzbekistan
• Donald Tapia to be Ambassador to Jamaica
• Robert Scott to be Ambassador to Malawi

Agreed to by UC:

• S Res 85, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Easter Seals
• S Res 131, regarding national 9-1-1 education month.
• S Res 136, regarding national safe digging month
• S Con Res 14, regarding celebrating King Kamehameha
• H Con Res 31, regarding holocaust remembrance day
• HR 1222, regarding target practice and marksmanship training support

The following had their first reading:
HR 1644 (regarding net neutrality) and HR 1957 (Taxpayer First Act of 2019)

4:45 p.m. Senator Cramer spoke on the nomination of Drew Wrigley to be US Attorney for the District of North Dakota.

4:23 p.m. Senator Enzi introduced the “association health plan act of 2019.”

2:41 p.m. Senator Sulllivan spoke on the Bernhardt nomination and the Alaskan of the week.

2:30 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on the following nominations:

1. William Cooper to be General Counsel of the Department of Energy.
2. Clark Cooper to be Assistant Secretary of State for Political and Military Affairs
3. Gordon Hartogensis to be director of the Pension Benefits Guarantee Corporation.
4. Campbell Barker to be a district judge for the Eastern District of Texas.
5. Andrew Brasher to be a district judge for the Middle District of Alabama.
6. Rodolfo Ruiz to be a district judge for the Southern District of Florida.
7. Raul Arias-Marxuach to be a district judge for the District of Puerto Rico.
8. Joshua Wolson to be a district judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

2:29 p.m. The senate confirmed the nomination of David Bernhardt to be Secretary of Interior, 57-41.

Democrats in favor: Heinrich, Manchin and Sinema.
Independent in favor: King
Not voting : 2 Democrats: Booker and Harris, 1 Republican: Perdue.

1:52 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Bernhardt nomination.

1:45 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke against the Bernhardt nomination.

1:29 p.m. Senator Scott of FL spoke on Venezuela.

1:21 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke about ICBMs.

1:14 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke in support of the Bernhardt nomination.

1:10 p.m. Senator Durbin paid tribute to his staffer M.J. Kenney.

1:00 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke in favor of the Bernhardt nomination.

12:30 p.m. Senator Markey spoke against the Bernhardt nomination.

12:15 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on border security.

12:11 p.m. Senator Peters spoke about the vehicle innovation act.

12:05 p.m. ML McConnell announced the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Bernhardt nomination at 1:45 pm.

11:54 a.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on Broadband.

11:34 a.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke on the Bernhardt nomination.

11:17 a.m. Senator Scott (SC) paid tribute to former Senator Hollings.

11:09 a.m. Senator Graham paid tribute to former Senator Hollings.

10:55 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about AG Barr and the Bernhardt nomination.

10:36 a.m. Senator Gardner spoke supporting the Bernhardt nomination and in memory of Corporal Daniel Groves.

10:10 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about flooding in the Midwest.

10:05 a.m. ML McConnell spoke on nominations.

10:03 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke on health care.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 am and resume consideration of the nomination of David Bernhardt to be Secretary of the Interior, post-cloture.

A roll call vote on confirmation of the Bernhardt nomination is expected during Thursday’s session.

7:02 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke on the Bernhardt nomination.

Senator Barasso conducted wrap up and the following bills were passed:

By voice vote, passed Calendar #18, S.94, Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act

By voice vote, adopted Calendar #58, S.Res.35, supporting democratic principles and standards in Bolivia and throughout Latin America, w/committee-reported amendment to the preamble.

By voice vote, adopted Calendar #59, S.Res.67, expressing the sense of the Senate on the importance and vitality of the United States alliances with Japan and the Republic of Korea, and our trilateral cooperation in the pursuit of shared interests, w/committee-reported amendment to the preamble.

Adopted Calendar #60, S.Res.95, recognizing the 198th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating democracy in Greece and the United States.

Adopted S. Res.155, relative to the death of the Honorable Ernest F. Hollings, former United States Senator for the State of South Carolina,

Adopted S. Res.156, supporting the goals and ideals of “Take our Daughters and Sons to Work

Day”

Adopted S. Res.157, supporting the designation of April 2019 as “Parkinson’s Awareness Month”

Adopted S. Res.158, authorizing the use of the atrium in the Philip A. Hart Senate Office Building for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a semiannual event of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Agreed to H.Con.Res 16, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition.

Agreed to H.Con.Res 19, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

Completed the Rule 14 process to place H.R.1585, to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, on the Legislative Calendar of Business.

Senators in favor: 53 Republicans

Senators against: 43 Democrats, 2 Independents (King and Sanders)

Senators not voting: 2 Democrats: Booker and Klobuchar

11:48 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the confirmation of Cheryl Stanton to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor.

5:10 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke about flooding in the Midwest.

4:56 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about the Doolittle Raiders.

3:45 p.m. Senator Jones spoke about Martin Luther King Jr. and read his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” along with Senators Alexander, Cruz, Harris, Kaine, & Murkowski.

3:33 p.m. ML McConnell received unanimous consent that the Senate will vote on the Wyrick nomination at 5:30 p.m. today and that at a time to be determined on April 10, the Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of John P. Abizaid to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

3:12 p.m. Senator Blackburn delivered her maiden floor speech.

3:11 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Patrick Wyrick to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma by a vote of 53 to 46. Senator Booker did not vote.

2:47 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Patrick Wyrick to a U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma.

2:46 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Daniel Domenico to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Colorado by a vote of 57-42.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from recess and began voting on confirmation of Daniel Domenico to be US District Judge for the District of Colorado.

12:43 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m. to accommodate the weekly caucus lunches.

12:35 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke about sexual assault.

12:26 p.m. Senator Hawley spoke about discrimination of people of faith.

12:07 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about the abuse of NDA’s across government and on immigration.

11:54 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about military families. At 2:15 pm the Senate will proceed to 2 votes: 1.Confirmation of Daniel Domenico to be U.S. District Judge for the District of CO 2.Motion to invoke cloture on Patrick Wyrick to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of OK

11:50 a.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Domenico nomination by a vote of 55-42. Senators Cruz, Duckworth and Johnson did not vote.

11:10 a.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the Domenico nomination.

11:07 a.m. Senator Gardner spoke about the Domenico nomination.

11:04 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about abortion legislation.

10:47 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke Trump administration personnel changes. He spoke about abortion legislation and judicial nominations.

10:34 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about computer scams.

10:12 a.m. The presiding officer announced that the House-passed H.R. 2030 (with text identical to S. 1057, the Colorado River Basin drought measure passed Monday) is deemed to have passed the Senate.

10:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about nominations and about Democratic health care proposals.

10:02 a.m. The Senate resumed consideration of the Domenico nomination.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.  and will resume consideration of the nomination of Daniel Domenico to the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.

At 11 a.m., there will be a cloture vote on the Domenico nomination. If cloture is invoked, post-cloture debate will run as long as two hours.

The Senate is expected to recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for weekly party luncheons.

Additional roll call votes are expected throughout Tuesday’s session.

Majority Leader McConnell has filed cloture on the nominations below.  The Senate will take them up in order, each nomination following the disposition of the previous one. The first five are subject to up to two hours of post-cloture debate.

The David Bernhardt nomination is subject to 30 hours of post-cloture debate. 

• Patrick R. Wyrick to be a United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma
• Cheryl Marie Stanton to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor
• John P. Abizaid to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Holly A. Brady to be a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana
• David Steven Morales to be a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas
• David Bernhardt to be Secretary of the Interior (subject to up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate)

6:10 p.m.  The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. Tuesday, when it will resume consideration of the Domenico nomination. There will be a cloture vote on Domenico at 11 a.m.

6:03 p.m. The Senate consented to S.1057 as modified.

6:02 p.m. Senator Cortez Masto sought a modification, which Senator McSally accepted.

5:59 p.m. Senator McSally spoke about the drought in the Southwest. She sought consent for passage of a drought relief bill, S. 1057.

5:24 p.m. Senator Scott of Florida paid tribute to his late press secretary, Jeri Bustamente.

5:02 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about trade.

4:33 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, the high cost of prescription drugs, Austin Tice held captive in Syria, and the Citgo executives held captive in Venezuela.

4:03 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell paid tribute to former Senator Hollings of SC and spoke nominations.

4:02 p.m. The motion to proceed to the nomination of David Bernhardt to be Secretary of Interior was agreed to by voice vote and ML McConnell filed cloture on the nomination.

The Senate will convene at 4:00 p.m.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business.

There will be no roll call votes during Monday’s session.

We expect the next roll call vote to be at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9^th on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Daniel Domenico to be US District Judge for the District of Colorado.

Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations:

1. Patrick Wyrick to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma
2. Cheryl Stanton to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor
3. John Abizaid to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
4. Holly Brady to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana
5. David Morales to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas

If cloture is invoked on any of these nominations, there would be up to 2 hours of debate prior to a vote on confirmation. Then there would a cloture vote on the next nomination.

6:39 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no roll call votes during Monday’s session. We expect the next roll call vote to be on Tuesday morning (April 9th) on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Daniel Desmond Domenico, of Colorado, to be United States District Judge for the District of Colorado.

6:37 p.m. During wrap up the Senate passed: S.Res 123, supporting NATO; S.Res. 145, commemorating the bicentennial of the birth of Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise; S.Res. 146, Recognizing the centennial of the Institute of International Education.

4:37 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on Executive Calendar #30 David Morales to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.

4:36 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on Executive Calendar #31 Holly Brady to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana.

4:34 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on Executive Calendar #173 John Abizaid to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the U.S. to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

4:33 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on Executive Calendar #105 Cheryl Stanton to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor.

4:32 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on Executive Calendar #27 Patrick Wyrick to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma.

4:31 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on Executive Calendar #21 Daniel Domenico to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Colorado.

4:05 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about NATO’s 70th anniversary.

3:58 p.m. Senator Enzi spoke about disaster funding.

3:20 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the President’s tax returns.

3:19 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Mark Calabria to be director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency by a vote of 52-44. Senators Booker, Harris, Lee and Sanders did not vote.

2:40 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Mark Calabria to be director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency

2:24 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke against the Calabria nomination.

2:16 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the deaths of Trooper Jones Story, Trooper Jerry Ellis and Trooper Lambert.

1:54 p.m. Senator Brown spoke in opposition to the Calabria nomination.

1:49 p.m. Senator Tillis spoke about NATO’s 70th anniversary.

1:35 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke on the Calabria nomination and on taxing unrealized investment gains.

1:30 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about NATO’s 70th anniversary.

1:19 p.m. Senator Warner spoke on the Mueller report. Senator Warner asked u.c to consider H.Con.Res. 24,  Expressing the sense of Congress that the report of Special Counsel Mueller should be made available to the public and to Congress. Senator Paul asked u.c to amend the Senator Warner’s request to include all of the communications. Senator Warner objected. Senator Paul objected to the original request.

12:55 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke on the agreement between the US and China to reduce the flow of fentanyl.  He later spoke on health care.

12:54 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Calabria nomination, 53-46.

Senators voting in favor: 53 Republicans.

Senators voting against: 44 Democrats, 2 Independents: King and Sanders.

Senators not voting: 1 Democrat: Harris.

12:23 p.m. Roll call vote began on the nomination of Mark Calabria to be director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

12:22 p.m. The Altman nomination was confirmed 66-33.

Senators voting in favor: 52 Republicans, 14 Democrats (Cardin, Cortez Masto, Duckworth, Feinstein, Hassan, Jones, Kaine, Manchin, Murphy, Rosen, Shaheen, Sinema, Tester and Warner .

Senators voting against: 30 Democrats, 2 Independents: King and Sanders; 1 Republican: Paul.

Senators not voting: 1 Democrat: Harris.

11:45 a.m. Roll call vote began on the confirmation of the nomination of Roy Kalman Altman to be a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

11:43 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke about disaster relief.

11:41 a.m. Senator Shelby spoke about disaster relief.

11:28 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about disaster relief.

11:21 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about taxes.

11:11 a.m. Senator Crapo spoke in favor of the Calabria nomination.

11:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the new limitation of post-cloture debate on nominations.

*****

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m. and will resume post-cloture consideration of the nomination of Roy Kalman Altman to be a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

At 11:45 a.m., the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the Altman nomination.

Following disposition of the Altman nomination, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Mark Anthony Calabria to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

The Calabria nomination will be subject to up to two hours of post-cloture debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.