The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 3:30 p.m.  Majority Leader McConnell presided, and no business was conducted.

5:46 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke about health care.

5:26 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about health care.

5:10 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about health care.

4:17 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about Senator McCain and on health care.

3:24 p.m. The clerk read the McConnell substitute amendment #267 with two hours of debate equally divided.

3:09 p.m. Senator McCain spoke about the state of the Senate and his plans to remain in the Senate.

3:08 p.m. The Senate agreed 50-50 and the Vice President voted yes to break the tie on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1628, to provide for reconciliation Pursuant to Title II of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2017.

• Senators Collins, Murkowski, and all Democrats voted no. Vice President Pence voted yes.

2:30 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1628, to provide for reconciliation Pursuant to Title II of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2017.

2:23 p.m. ML McConnell spoke supporting the motion to proceed.

2:17 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke against the pending health care legislation.

12:32 p.m. Senator Fischer asked that the Senate stand in recess until 2:15 p.m. to accommodate the weekly Caucus lunches.

12:23 p.m. Senator Fischer noted the absence of a quorum.

12:13 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the Republican health care plan and the related procedural vote. He spoke about President Trump’s criticism of Attorney General Sessions. He spoke about the House bill to sanction Iran, Syria and Russia.

12:09 p.m. Senator McConnell secured consent for Minority Leader Schumer to be recognized for up to 20 minutes, whereupon Senator Fischer will be recognized to note the absence of a quorum.

12:03 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell moved to proceed to H.R. 2810, the 2018 Defense Authorization. He paid tribute to Senator McCain. He spoke about today’s procedural vote on health care.

*****

The Senate will convene at 12:00 noon.  Following any leader remarks, it is anticipated ML McConnell will move to proceed to HR 2810, the Defense Authorization, until moving to proceed to the reconcilation vehicle following the usual Tuesday caucuses.

11:19 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned.

11:01 p.m. Senator Perdue spoke on nominations and health care.

10:25 – 11:00 p.m. Senators Merkley and Schatz spoke on health care.

9:20 -10:24 p.m. Senators Sanders, Baldwin, Kaine and Murphy spoke on health care.

8:23 – 9:19 p.m. Senators Warren, Klobuchar, Franken and Hassan spoke on health care.

7:12 -8:22 p.m. Senators Durbin, Casey, Cantwell and Whitehouse spoke on health care.

7:11 p.m. ML McConnell announced that when the Senate adjourns this evening, it will return on Tuesday at 12:00 p.m.

6:38 p.m. Senators Murray and Reed spoke about health care.

6:32 p.m. Senator Daines spoke about forest fires in Montana and forest management reform.

6:32 p.m. ML McConnell moved to proceed to HR 2810, the Defense Authorization bill.

6:31 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Bernhardt nomination by a vote of 53 to 43. 4 Democrats and 1 Independent voted in favor: Bennet, Donnelly, Heitkamp, King and Manchin.

5:32 p.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of David Bernhardt to be Deputy Secretary of Interior.

5:29 p.m. Senators Daines and Murkowski spoke in support of the Bernhardt nomination.

5:11 p.m. Senator Flake spoke about NAFTA.

4:57 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke about health care.

4:47 p.m. Senator Tester spoke about the wildfires in Montana.

4:31 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about health care.

4:16 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about Democratic policy goals.

4:07 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke in favor of the Bernhardt nomination.

4:02 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell indicated that the Senate will vote Tuesday on whether to proceed to consider a health care bill.

*****

The Senate will convene at 4:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of David Bernhardt to be Deputy Secretary of Interior, post-cloture.

At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the Bernhardt nomination.

7:06 p.m. The Senate has adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 18th. A vote on confirmation on Patrick Shanahan to be Deputy Secretary of Defense is expected at 12:15 p.m.

****

6:45 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about climate change.

6:40 p.m. Senator Isakson paid tribute to staffer Stefanie Mohler.

6:21 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about obstruction in the Senate.

6:20 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Shanahan nomination by a vote of 88 to 6. Senators voting no: Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, Markey, Sanders, and Warren. Senators absent: Duckworth, Ernst, Flake, Heller, McCain, and Wicker.

5:31 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Patrick Shanahan to Be Deputy Secretary of Defense.

4:40 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke in support of the Shanahan nomination.

4:10 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell filed cloture on the nomination of John Kenneth Bush, KY, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for Sixth Circuit and the nomination of David Bernhardt, VA,  to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior.

3:54 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about Senator McCain. He spoke about health care and anti-Semitism.

3:36 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about health care and about education. He spoke about science.

3:14 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about health care.

3:03 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell wished a speedy recovery to Senator McCain. He spoke of the Shanahan nomination. He spoke about health care.

Senator McConnell completed Rule XIX proceedings to place on the calendar H.R. 2430, an FDA bill.

***

The Senate will next convene on Monday July 17 at 3:00 p.m. 

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to resume consideration of the nomination of Patrick Shanahan to be Deputy Secretary of Defense, with a cloture vote on the nomination at 5:30 p.m.

**

5:59 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of David C. Nye to be United States District Judge for the District of Idaho.

5:58 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Neomi Rao to be Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, by a vote of 54 to 41. 5 democrats and 1 independent voted in favor: Carper, Donnelly, Heitkamp, Manchin, McCaskill and King.

4:43 p.m. Senator Warren spoke about corporate interests.

4:03 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about health care.

3:44 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about health care.

3:26 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about health care.

3:03 p.m. ML McConnell spoke about health care.

****

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Neomi Rao to be Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, post-cloture.

• At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the Rao nomination.

• Following disposition of the Rao nomination, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of David Nye to be a United States District Judge for the District of Idaho.

• ML McConnell filed cloture on the nomination of William Hagerty to be Ambassador to Japan.  The cloture vote with respect to the Hagerty nomination will occur following disposition of the Nye nomination.

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

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 6:33 p.m., Senator Rubio presided and no business was conducted.

The Senate adjourned 5:45 p.m. and will reconvene for pro forma sessions only on Monday, July at 6:00 p.m. and Thursday, July 6 at 9:00 a.m. They will reconvene on Monday, July 10 at 3:00 p.m.

5:05 p.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on the nomination of William Hagerty to be the Ambassador to Japan.

4:04 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about health care.

3:30 p.m. Senator Heitkamp spoke about health care.

2:53 p.m. S.Res. 210, Engrossment Correction for S.722, was agreed to by voice vote.

2:19 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about Venezuela.

1:10 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on health care.

12:35 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the Alaskan of the week.

12:34 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Rao nomination 59-36.

Democrats voting yes: Senators Carper, Donnelly, Heitkamp, Manchin, McCaskill, and Nelson. Independent yes: Senator King.

5 Senators did not vote: Senators Durbin, Hirono, Sanders, Udall, and Warner.

11:59 a.m. The Senate began voting on invoking cloture on the nomination of Neomi Rao.

11:51 a.m. Senator Cotton spoke about the passing of former Marine and Medal of Honor recipient Arthur J. Jackson and the passing of Joedell Burgess.

11:48 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about health care repeal.

11:06 a.m. The Senate resumed consideration of the Rao nomination.

11:05 a.m. Senator Hatch asked for the second reading of S. 1460, a bill to provide for the modernization of energy natural resources polices of the U.S. and objected to further proceedings and the bill was placed on the calendar.

*****

The Senate will convene at 11:00 a.m., and following any Leader remarks, will resume consideration of the nomination of Neomi Rao to be Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget.

At 12:00 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Rao nomination.

Note, cloture has been filed on the nomination of David Nye to be United States District Judge for the District of Idaho.

7:20 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

7:08 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke addressing that this is the beginning, not the end of the health care fight.

6:51 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about the need to continue fighting attempts to undermine medicaid and access to care.

6:28 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell filed cloture on Executive Calendar #154, Neomi Rao to be Admin of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget and asked u.c. that when the Senate adjourns tonight that it will reconvene tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. and following any Leader remarks the Senate proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of the Rao nomination.

6:18 p.m. Senator Coons spoke in opposition to the Senate health care legislation.

6:04 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about the health consequences of climate change.

5:55 p.m. Senator Warren spoke about the delayed health care vote.

4:20-5:42 p.m. Senators Wyden, Cardin, Carper, Cantwell, Warner, Menendez and Murray spoke about health care.

3:38 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 4:20 p.m.

3:10 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke about the health care system.

2:53 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about the health care system.

2:03 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke about tax reform.

*****

The Senate will convene at 2:00 p.m. and be in a period of morning business for debate only.

6:50 p.m. The Senate adjourned. The Senate will convene at 11 a.m. Thursday.

6:39 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about the effect of GOP health care plans on women’s health programs.

6:30 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about women’s health care programs under the Republican legislation.

6:19 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about women’s health programs under the Republican legislation.

6:13 p.m. Senator Hassan spoke about women’s health programs under the Republican legislation.

6:06 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke about women’s health programs under the Republican overhaul of the medical system.

6 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about abortion rights and the Republican health care proposals.

5:59 p.m. Senator McConnell secured consent for the Senate to convene at 11 a.m. Thursday and will resume consideration of the Billingslea nomination.

5:50 p.m. Senator McConnell spoke about free speech.

5:49 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Billingsley nomination by a vote of 65 to 34. Senator Leahy did not vote.

5:27 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Marshall Billingsley to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism Financing.

5:26 p.m. The nomination of Sigal Mandelker to be Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial, was confirmed by a vote of 96 to 4. Senators Booker, Gillibrand, Harris and Warren voted no.

4:53 p.m. The Senate began the roll call vote on confirmation of Sigal Mandelker to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, Dept. of Treasury.

4:50 p.m. Senator Crapo spoke on the nomination of Marshall Billingsley.

4:45 p.m. Senator Warren spoke on health care.

4:38 p.m. Senator Portman spoke on Otto Warmbier and North Korea.

4:22 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on climate change.

4:12 p.m. Senator Peters spoke on health care.

3:54 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke on health care.

3:49 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke on veterans care in the budget.

3:25 p.m. Senators Blumenthal spoke on health care.

2:17 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the Affordable Care Act.

1:25 p.m. Senator Reed spoke about the need for a bipartisan health care bill.

12:30 p.m. Senators Durbin, King, and Ernst spoke on health care.

12:15 p.m. DL Schumer spoke on health care, Russian sanctions, China and North Korea.

12:02 p.m. ML McConnell discussed health care.  Achieved unanimous consent that votes occur at 4:50 p.m., on the following:

• Confirmation of Sigal Mandelker to be Under Secretary of Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, Department of Treasury.
• Cloture on Marshall Billingslea to be Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Terrorist Financing.

***

The Senate will convene at 12:00 p.m., and following any Leader remarks, will resume consideration of the nomination of Sigal Mandelker to be Under Secretary of Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, post-cloture.

Under the regular order, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Senate will proceed to 2 roll call votes on the following:

1. Confirmation of Sigal Mandelker to be Under Secretary of Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, Department of Treasury.
2. Cloture on Marshall Billingslea to be Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Terrorist Financing.