6:43 p.m. The Senate has adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 25th.

2 votes are expected at 11:00 a.m. 

1. Passage of S.J. Res. 28
2. Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2943, the Defense Authorization bill. 

During today’s session:

• H.J. Res. 88 was passed by a vote of 56-41.
• The motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 28 was agreed to by a vote of 57 to 40.
• S. Res. 473, expressing appreciation of the goals of American Craft Beer Week and commending the small and independent craft brewers of the U.S., was passed by unanimous consent in wrap-up.

****

6:26 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke on Puerto Rico’s economy.

6:10 p.m. Senator Ayotte spoke on inspection of catfish.

5:58 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke on inspection of catfish.

5:53 p.m. Senator Flake paid tribute to Matthew Spect.

5:41 p.m. Senator McCain spoke on inspection of catfish.

5:40 p.m. The Senate agreed to the Motion to Proceed to S. J. Res. 28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Secretary of Agriculture relating to inspection of catfish, by a roll call vote of 57-40.

5:15 p.m. The Senate passed H.J. Res. 88, disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to the definition of the term “Fiduciary”, by a roll call vote of 56-41.

4:30 p.m. Leader McConnell announced the Senate will vote on H.J. Res. 88 and the motion to proceed to S. J. Res 28 at 4:45 p.m.

4:18 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about the Zika virus.

4:10 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke against the fiduciary rule.

3:55 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about the campaign against the Zika virus.

3:46 p.m. Senator Enzi spoke against the fiduciary rule.

3:42 p.m. Senator Enzi objected.

3:28 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke in favor of more federal spending to fight the Zika virus. He sought consent for a vote on a Zika spending measure.

3:20 p.m. Senator Cochran spoke for the Agriculture Department’s catfish inspection rule.

3:11 p.m. Senator Roberts spoke against the Agriculture Department’s catfish inspection rule.

2:59 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke on the catfish inspection rule.

2:45 p.m. Senator Murray spoke on the Zika virus, asks UC that when the Senate recieves from the House the House passed Zika funding bill to substitute the Senate passed Blunt/Murray funding bill.  Senator Cornyn objected, hoping the two sides can go to conference.

2:15 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke on the fiduciary rule.

12:31 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.

12:17 p.m. Senator Thune spoke on Indian Health Services and later on avaiation security issues.

12:10 p.m.  Senator Wyden spoke on the fiduciary rule.

11:45 a.m.  Senator Cornyn Urged the Senate to take up and pass NDAA.

11:30 Senator Booker spoke about economic growth and fairness in the free market and the fiduciary rule.

11:16 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about an investigation of non-profit hospitals, such as Mosaic Lifecare, suing low-income patients.

10:55 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the fiduciary rule.

10:41 a.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke about yesterday’s passage of the Adam Walsh child protection law. She also spoke about the fiduciary rule and the Ex-Im bank.

10:12 a.m. Senators Isakson and Murray spoke about the fiduciary rule.

10:08 a.m. Minority Leader Reid spoke about the financial services rule. He also spoke about the Supreme Court vacancy.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about regulatory policy and today’s vote on a proposed rule on financial services.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.  Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will vote (expected by voice) on adoption of the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.88, disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to the definition of the term “Fiduciary”. Under the rule, there will be up to 10 hours of debate equally divided prior to a vote on adoption of the joint resolution.

It’s also possible that the Senate considers S.J.Res.28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Secretary of Agriculture relating to inspection of catfish.

As a reminder, ML McConnell moved to proceed to S.2943, the National Defense Authorization Act, and filed cloture on the motion.

Unless an agreement is reached, the cloture motion would ripen one hour after the Senate convenes on Wednesday, May 25.

8:13 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 19 to resume consideration of H.R. 2577, the Transportation-HUD-MilCon-VA appropriations bill.

8 :11 p.m. By unanimous consent, the Senate passed S. Res. 471, to make the week of May 15 National Public Works week, and H.R. 2814, to name a VA clinic in Sevierville, TN, for Danny Carr.

8:10 p.m. In executive session, the Senate took up and confirmed en bloc Executive Calendar Numbers 547 through 551 (promotions of Coast Guard officers) and all Foreign Service nominations at the secretary’s desk.

8:09 p.m. Senator Collins secured consent for this business on Thursday: At 11:15 a.m. all post-cloture time will be considered expired on the Blunt-Murray Zika amendment (#3900); if cloture is invoked on the Collins substitute (#3896), then the Cornyn and Nelson amendments (#3899 and #3898) will be withdrawn; Senator Collins will be recognized to call up her amendment (#3970); no second-degree amendments will be in order to the Collins amendment (#3970) or the Lee amendment (#3997).

At 11:15 a.m. Thursday, three roll-calls are expected: a motion to waive the Budget Act for the Blunt-Murray Zika amendment; adoption of the Blunt-Murray amendment; and cloture on the pending substitute.   Additional votes should be expected.

8:06 p.m.:  Senator Collins proposed and by voice vote the Senate passed these amendments en bloc: Kirk #3997; Tester#3998; Perdue #3933; Mikulski #4030; Daines #4008; Brown #3920; Inhofe #3969; Boxer, as modified, #3935; Flake #4038; Manchin #4033; Flake #3980; Feinstein #3944; Johnson #3993; Kobuchar #3910; Heller #4005; Durbin #4029; Sasse #4023.

7:56 p.m. Senator Collins secured consent for these amendments to be brought up en bloc: Paul #3967, Johnson #3992, Nelson #4011, Isakson #4024 and Warner #4042. The Senate passed these amendments en bloc, by voice vote.

7:19 p.m. Senator Moran spoke about a memorial to teachers.

6:59 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke for the appropriations bill. She also spoke about the new health care law.

6:51 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke in favor of the overall spending bill and its transportation provisions.

6:43 p.m. Senator Reed spoke against Senator Lee’s amendment.

6:23 p.m. Senator Collins spoke against Senator Lee’s amendment. She described her amendment to forbid HUD from making local zoning decisions.

6:12 p.m. Senator Lee spoke against a new housing rule financed in the bill. He spoke about his amendment (#3897) to forbid spending to implement the new rule.

6:10 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about the veterans amendment, now pending to the appropriations bill.

6:09 p.m. Senator Schumer said agreement has been reached to address the veterans issues in the defense bill.

6:01 p.m. Senator Warner spoke in support of the veterans measure and spoke about his infrastructure financing amendment.

6 p.m. Senator McCain secured consent to call up Amendment #4039, to extend the veterans Choice Card program.

5:46 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about veterans and infrastructure aspects of the appropriations bill. 5:41 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke in support of the Choice Card amendment.

5:33 p.m. Senator McCain spoke about his amendment (#4039) to extend the veterans “Choice Card” program and sought unanimous consent to bring up the measure. Senator Schumer objected.

5:23 p.m. Senator Coons spoke about Iran’s role in the conflicts in Iraq and Syria.

5:12 p.m. Senator Coats spoke about addiction and about government waste.

4:52 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about prescription drug addiction.

4:03 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke about his amendment regarding sanctuary cities, asks UC to make his amendment pending.  Senator Reed objected.

3:54 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on his amendment regarding veterans having firearms.

3:39 p.m. Senators Gillibrand and Grassley spoke on the Police Safety Officers Benefit Improvement Act.

3:33 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about labor issues.

3:20 Senator Rubio spoke about Global Ministries Foundation housing.

3:07 p.m. Senator Collins spoke on an amendment she is planning to offer and HUD’s role w/r/t local zoning ordinances.

3:00 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke on housing and neighborhoods.

2:40 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on funding the fight against Zika. Sen. Lankford asked for UC to set aside the pending amendment to bring up his amendment, #3955.  Senator Nelson objected.

2:34 p.m. Senator Cornyn objected, arguing that the Zika spending under the Blunt-Murray provision would pass tomorrow as part of the pending appropriations bill.

2:30 p.m. Senator Murray sought consent to debate H.R. 3038, on Zika funds, accept the Blunt-Murray substitute, and vote on passage of the amended bill later today.

2:25 p.m. Senator Cornyn objected.

2:20 p.m. Senator Reid sought consent to debate H.R. 3038, adopt the Nelson substitute on funds to fight Zika and later vote on the bill..

2:14 p.m. Senator Reid joined in the colloquy about Zika.

2:13 p.m. Senator Cornyn engaged in a colloquy with Senator Nelson about Zika.

2:11 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about the Zika virus.

2 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about a fair housing amendment to the pending housing appropriation.

1:40 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke about prescription drug addiction.

1:37 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the prospective construction of wind turbines in a scenic area of Tennessee.

1:34 p.m. Senator Leahy praised the passage of the Police Act.

1:32 p.m. Senator Cornyn secured consent to take up the Police Act, S. 2840, to provide active shooter training. The Senate passed the bill by voice vote.

1:19 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the HUD bill.

12:59 p.m. Senator McCain spoke about the Affordable Care Act.

12:44 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke about the THUD/MilConVA appropriations bill.

12:30 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke on the Supreme Court’s vacancy.

12:14 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the economy.

12:04 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about National Police Week.

12:00 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about fair housing in HUD bill.

11:48 a.m. Senator Kaine spoke about racism in housing.

11:32 a.m. Senator Hatch spoke about the Affordable Care Act.

11:06 a.m. Senator Collins spoke on the appropriations process and H.R. 2577, the THUD/MilConVA appropriations bill.

10:28 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke on Cuba and a Vermont/Cuba baseball exchange.

10:00 a.m. Senators Barrasso and Gardner spoke on the Affordable Care Act.

9:51 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the Zika virus and the Affordable Care Act.

9:40 a.m. DL Reid responded on the Affordable Care Act and the Supreme Court vacancy.

9:33 a.m. ML McConnell spoke on the pending appropriations bills before turning to discuss the Supreme Court vacancy and the Affordable Care Act.

***

The Senate convened at 9:30 a.m.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of Morning business for one hour.

Following Morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.2577, the THUD/MilConVA Appropriations bill.

ML McConnell filed cloture on both the Collins substitute amendment #3896 and the underlying bill H.R.2577, the THUD/MilConVA Appropriations bill.

Unless an agreement is reached, the post-cloture time on the Blunt-Murray amendment #3900 (Zika funding) will expire at approximately 9:40 p.m.

McConnell filed a Motion to Invoke Cloture on Collins amend #3296 (Substitute amendment) and H.R. 2577 (THUD/MilConVA Appropriations).

In Executive session the Senate confirmed the following nomination en bloc:
Cal. #444, Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the African Development Foundation.
Cal. #445, Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the African Development Foundation.
Cal. #446, John Leslie, Jr. to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the African Development Foundation.
Cal. #447, Linda Etim to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the African Development Foundation.
Cal. #467, Georgette Mosbacher to be a Member of the US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.
Cal. #217, Todd Fisher to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
Cal. #218, Deven Parekh to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
Cal. #479, Robert Riley III to be Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia.
Cal. #480, Karen Stewart to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Cal. #482, Matthew Matthews to be U.S. Senior Official for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum.
Cal. #484, Marcela Escobari to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.
Cal. #553, Swati Dandekar to be U.S. Director of the Asian Development Bank.
Cal. #554, Adam Sterling to be Ambassador to the Slovak Republic.
Cal. #555, Kelly Keiderling-Franz to be Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.
Cal. #556, Stephen Schwartz to be Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Cal. #557, Christine Elder to be Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia.
Cal. #558, Elizabeth Richard to be Ambassador to the Lebanese Republic.

When the Senate resumed H.R. 2577 (THUD/MilConVA Appropriations) the following amendments were considered, en bloc and passed by unanimous consent:

King amend #3934 (Disabled veterans and student loans).
Rubio amend #3918 (Shortens the time period for landlords to address physical deficiencies in HUD-assisted housing).
Heller amend #3905 (Prohibits individuals convicted of murder, sexual assault and trafficking, and child pornography from accessing HUD-assisted housing).
Rubio amend #3926 (Real Estate Assessment Center physical inspections).
Manchin amend #3961 (Airport repairs).
Booker amend #3941 (Restores FAST Act eligibility to CRISI grant program for construction projects related to passenger rail).
Tester amend #3914 (Construction requirements in Europe).
Kirk amend #3938 (Access roads).
Heller amend #3948 (Disability compensation claims)
Heitkamp amend #3954 (Vets counseling in rural areas).
Bennet amend #3971 (Disabled veterans on Olympic teams)
The amendments were agreed to, en bloc, by Voice Vote.

In wrap up the Senate passed the following measures:
S. Res. 468 (National Police Week). Agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
S. 1335 (North Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act). Sullivan substitute amendment agreed to by Unanimous Consent. The bill, as amended, is agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

5:45 p.m. Senator Ayotte paid tribute to fallen police officers and thanked all officers and their families for their service.

5:10 p.m. Senator McCain spoke in favor of the nomination of Eric K. Fanning. Immediately following his remarks, the nomination of Eric Fanning, of the District of Columbia, to be Secretary of the Army was confirmed by unanimous consent.

4:55 p.m. Senator Moran paid tribute to the late Kansas City Detective Brad Lancaster, killed in the line of duty.

4:31 p.m. Senator Booker spoke about the anniversary of Brown v. Board.

4:21 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education ruling and abou the current vacancy on the court.

4:14 p.m. Senator Coons spoke on the Supreme Court vacancy.

3:49 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke on the Supreme Court vacancy.

3:46 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke on opioid abuse.

3:44 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke on Opioid abuse.

3:41 p.m. Senator King spoke on the Zika virus.

3:40 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke on the Zika virus.

3:40 p.m. Senator Collins called up the Blunt amdt #3646.

3:39 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Blunt/Murray amendment #3900 by a tally of 68-29.

Senators in favor: 44 Democrats; 23 Republicans: Alexander, Ayotte, Blunt, Boozman, Burr, Capito, Cassidy, Cochran, Collins, Graham, Hatch, Hoeven, Isakson, Kirk, McCain, McConnell, Murkowski, Portman, Rounds, Rubio, Tillis, Vitter and Wicker; and 1 Independent: King.

Senators against: 29 Republicans.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Cruz and Enzi; 1 Independent: Sanders.

3:16 p.m. Cloture vote began on the Blunt/Murray amendment #3900,  $1.1 billion Zika funding.

3:15 p.m. Cloture was not invoked on the Cornyn amendment, 52-45.

Senators voting in favor: 52 Republicans

Senators voting against: 44 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Cruz and Enzi; 1 Independent: Sanders

2:55 p.m. Cloture vote began on the Cornyn amendment #3899, $1.1billion Zika funding, $1.2billion offset through ACA prevention fund cut.

2:54 p.m. Cloture was not invoked on the Nelson amendment, 50-47.

Senators voting in favor: 44 Democrats, 5 Republicans: Ayotte, Cassidy, Kirk, Portman and Rubio; 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 47 Republicans

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Cruz and Enzi; 1 Independent: Sanders

2:29 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on Nelson amendment #3898; $1.9 billion Zika funding.

2:15 p.m. Senators Reed and Collins spoke on the Zika virus.

12:41 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.

12:16 p.m. Senators Blumenthal and Burr spoke on Zika.

11:58 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about Zika and engaged in a colloquy regarding S. 2040, a bill heping September 11th victims seek claims against foreign states in relation to the events of that day.

S. 2040 was passed by Unanimous Consent.

The bill amends the federal judicial code to narrow the scope of foreign sovereign immunity by authorizing U.S. courts to hear cases involving claims against a foreign state for injuries, death, or damages that occur inside the United States as a result of a tort, including an act of terrorism, committed anywhere by a foreign state or official.

11:57 a.m. Senator Collins modified her amendment.

10:29 a.m.-11:55 a.m. Senators Murray, Rubio, Flake, Mikulski, Blunt, Nelson, Carper, Hirono and Schatz spoke about Zika.

10:21 a.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about transgender people and bathrooms.

10:16 a.m. Senator Tester spoke about the military construction and Veterans Administration portions of the spending bill.

10:15 a.m. The Senate resumed consideration of the spending bill.

10:08 a.m. Minority Leader Reid spoke about civil rights for transgender people. He also spoke about the Supreme Court vacancy.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Senate’s record on passage of appropriations bills. He spoke about the pending appropriations bill for transportation and other purposes.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.  Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.2577, THUD/Milcon-VA appropriations.

The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

At 2:30pm the cloture motions with respect to the amendments on Zika funding will ripen and the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Nelson amendment. If cloture is not invoked on Nelson, cloture will immediately ripen on the Cornyn amendment. If cloture is not invoked on Cornyn, cloture will immediately ripen on the Blunt-Murray amendment. If cloture is invoked, there will then be up to 30 hours of debate on the amendment prior to a vote on adoption.

Tuesday at 2:30pm – up to 3 roll call votes:

1. Motion to invoke cloture on Nelson SA #3898 ($1.9billion Zika funding);
2. Motion to invoke cloture on Cornyn SA #3899, as modified ($1.1billion Zika funding, $1.2billion offset through ACA prevention fund cut); and
3. Motion to invoke cloture on Blunt-Murray SA #3900, as modified ($1.1billion Zika funding).

Amendments pending to H.R.2577, THUD/Milcon-VA

Collins SA #3896 (substitute)

Lee SA #3897 (affirmative action/housing)

Nelson SA #3898 ($1.9billion Zika funding)

Cornyn SA #3899, as modified ($1.1billion Zika funding, $1.2billion offset through ACA prevention fund cut)

Blunt-Murray SA #3900, as modified ($1.1billion Zika funding).