The swearing-in of the new Senator from Alabama, Luther Strange,  will occur at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 9th. 

Cloture has been filed on the Mnuchin nomination.

9:07 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday, February 9. After leader remarks, the Senate will resume post-cloture debate on the nomination of Representative Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.

All time during morning business, recess and adjournment of the Senate will count post-cloture on the Price nomination.

8:07 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about the Price nomination.

7:49 p.m. Senator Sessions gave his farewell speech.

7:47 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the nomination of Price by a vote of 51 to 48. Senator Sessions voted present.

7:25 p.m. The motion to table the motion to reconsider the vote on the nomination of Senator Sessions to be Attorney General was tabled by voice vote.  The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.

7:25 p.m. By a vote of 52 to 47, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Senator Sessions to be Attorney General. Democrat Manchin voted YEA. Senator Sessions declared himself present.

6:57 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the nomination of Senator Sessions to be Attorney General.

6:48 p.m. Majority Leader paid tribute to Senator Sessions.

6:45 p.m. Senator Shelby spoke about the Sessions nomination.

6:38 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the Sessions nomination.

6:22 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about the Sessions nomination.

6:17 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke against the Sessions nomination.

6:08 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke in favor of the Sessions nomination.

5:53 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke against the Sessions nomination.

5:30 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke on Russia.

5:11 p.m. Senator Bennett spoke against the Sessions nomination.

5:09 p.m. Majority Leader spoke about Senator Scott’s speech.

4:36 p.m. Senator Scott spoke in favor of the Sessions nomination.

4:30 p.m. Senator Kennedy gave his maiden speech in support of the Sessions nomination.

4:19 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke in favor of the Sessions nomination.

3:52 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke against the Sessions nomination.

3:22 p.m. Senator Harris spoke against the Sessions nomination.

3:00 p.m. Senator Lee spoke in favor of the Sessions nomination.

2:45 p.m. Senator Markey spoke against the Sessions nomination.

2:38 p.m. Senator Heinrich spoke on Senator Warren, Senator Sessions and Rule XIX.

2:15 p.m. Senator Enzi spoke in favor of the Price nomination.

2:13 p.m. Senator Murray spoke against the Sessions nomination.

2:07 p.m. Senator Rounds spoke in favor of the Sessions nomination.

1:21 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke about Senator Warren, Senator Sessions and Rule XIX.

1:11 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke in favor of the Sessions nomination.

12:57 p.m. Senator Portman spoke on career and technical education.

12:43 p.m. Senator Baldwin spoke against the Sessions nomination.

12:36 p.m. Senator Tester spoke against the Sessions nomination.

12:24 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about Senator Warren, Senator Sessions and Rule XIX.

12:09 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about Senator Warren and Rule XIX.

12:03 p.m. Senator Heller spoke against Obamacare.

11:49 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about Senator Warren and Rule XIX.

11:10 a.m. Senator Franken spoke against the Sessions nomination.

11:00 a.m. Senator Warner spoke against the Sessions nomination.

10:41 a.m. Senator Sanders spoke against the Sessions nomination.

10:20 a.m. Senator McConnell used leader time to speak about nominations.

10:12 a.m. Senator Hirono spoke against the Sessions nomination.

10:07 a.m. Senator Brown read Coretta Scott King’s letter about Senator Sessions.

9:00 a.m. Senator Udall spoke against the Sessions nomination.

8:40 a.m. Senator Casey spoke against the Sessions nomination.

8:06 a.m. Senator Brown spoke against the Sessions nomination.

7:55 a.m. Senator Gillibrand spoke against the Sessions nomination.

6:26 a.m. Senator Hassan spoke against the Sessions nomination.

5:34 a.m. Senator Murphy spoke against the Sessions nomination, Rule XIX, and Senator Warren.

4:07 a.m. Senator Cantwell spoke against the Sessions nomination.

3:03 a.m. Senator Merkley spoke against the Sessions nomination.

2:06 a.m. Senator Cotton spoke in support of the Sessions nomination.

1:08 a.m. Senator Schatz spoke about Rule XIX, Senator Warren, and the Senator Sessions nomination.

10:49 p.m. The Senate has adjourned until 12:00 p.m. tomorrow, January 31st. A vote on the nomination of Elaine Chao to be Secretary of Transportation is expected at approximately 12:20 p.m.  Following disposition of the Chao nomination, the Senate will continue post-cloture debate time on the Tillerson nomination.

During today’s session, the Senate voted to invoke cloture on the nomination of Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State by a vote of 56 to 43. The adjournment time is not to be counted as post-cloture debate time. 

****

10:37 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke on the immigration executive order.

10:01 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke on the immigration executive order.

9:14 p.m. Senator Booker spoke on the immigration executive order.

8:11 p.m. Senator Warren spoke on the immigration executive order.

8:00 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on the immigration executive order.

7:49 p.m. Senator Bennett spoke on the immigration executive order.

7:26 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke on the immigration executive order.

7:04 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the immigration executive order.

6:03 p.m. The motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State was invoked by a vote of 56 to 43. Senators Heitkamp, King, Manchin, and Warner voted in favor. Senator Heinrich was absent.

5:30 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State.

5:15 p.m. Senator Schumer asked unanimous consent to move to a vote on S. Res. 240. Senator Cotton objected. Senator Schumer asked unanimous consent to postpone the vote on the nomination of Rex Tillerson, to be Secretary of State, until Executive Order #137 is rescinded and Mr. Tillerson provides in writing to the Foreign Relations Committee information pertaining to his involvement in the development of the Executive Order as well as a statement declaring whether or not he agrees with the order. Senator Cotton objected.

5:09 p.m. Senator Feinstein spoke on the immigration executive order.

4:57 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke on the immigration executive order; and later about the administration fighting the media.

4:47 p.m. Senator Corker spoke in support of the Tillerson nomination.

4:35 p.m. Senator Cardin explained why he will vote against the Tillerson nomination.

4:19 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the Veterans Affairs department, the Social Security Administration and the “gun ban list”.

4:05 p.m. Senator Capito spoke on coal and the Waters of the United States bill and later the Pruitt nomination.

3:42 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke about immigration.

3:21 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about regulations.

3:10 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about immigration.

3:03 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about coal and about the Tillerson nominaton.

***

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m.

After any leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:00 p.m.

At 5:00 p.m., the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State with a cloture vote on the nomination at 5:30 p.m.

If cloture is invoked, there will be up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate before a confirmation vote.

1:36 a.m. The Senate stands adjourned.

1:27 a.m. Senator Enzi spoke on the Affordable Care Act; and further achieved UC to adjourn until 12:30 p.m. Following leader remarks, be in a period of morning business.

1:26 a.m. Final passage on S. Con. Res. 3 (budget resolution) was agreed to by a vote of 51-48. Senator Paul voted against; Senator Feinstein did not vote.

1:04 a.m. Roll call vote began on final passage of S. Con. Res. 3.

1:02 a.m. The budget point of order on the Brown amendment #86 is sustained 49-49. (3/5 necessary).  Senators Collins and Heller voted in favor.

12:47 a.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to Brown #86.

12:46 a.m. The budget point of order on the Hatch amendment #180 is sustained 51-47. (3/5 necessary).

12:32 a.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to Hatch amendment #180.

12:30 a.m. The budget point of order on the Gillibrand amendment #82 is sustained 49-49. (3/5 necessary). Senators Collins and Heller voted in favor.

12:13 a.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to Gillibrand amendment#82.

12:12 a.m. The budget point of order on the Fischer amendment #184 is sustained 52-46. (3/5 necessary). Senator Manchin voted in favor.

11:58 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to Fischer amendment #184.

11:57 p.m. The budget point of order on the Wyden amendment #188 is sustained 47-51. (3/5 necessary). 5 final roll call votes scheduled: Fischer #184, Gillibrand #82, Hatch #180, Brown #86, and final passage on S. Con. Res. 3.

11:25 p.m Senator Wyden offered his amendment #188. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to Wyden #188.

11:24 p.m. The Klobuchar amendment #178 failed by a vote of 46-52. Democrats against: (13) Bennet, Booker, Cantwell, Carper, Casey, Coons, Donnelly, Heinrich, Heitkamp, Menendez, Murray, Tester, Warner. Republicans in favor: (12) Boozman, Collins, Cruz, Flake, Grassley, Heller, Kennedy, Lee, McCain, Murkowski, Paul, and Thune.

11:07 p.m. Roll call vote began on the Klobuchar amendment #178.

11:04 p.m. The budget point of order on the Alexander amendment #174 is sustained 49-49. (3/5 necessary). Senators Grassley and Hatch voted against.

10:44 p.m. Senator Alexander offered his amendment #174. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to Alexander #174.

10:42 p.m. The budget point of order on the Menendez amendment #83 is sustained 48-50. (3/5 necessary). Senator Heller voted in favor.

10:26 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to Menendez amendment #83.

10:22 p.m. The budget point of order on the Hatch amendment #179 is sustained 51-47. (3/5 necessary).

10:08 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to Hatch amendment #179.

10:04 p.m. The budget point of order on the Barrasso amendment #181 is sustained 47-51. (3/5 necessary). Senators Cruz, Lee, Paul, and Sasse voted against.

9:44 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to the Barrasso amendment #181.

9:39 p.m. Senator Corker introduced amendment #106 and then withdrew the amendment. Senator Enzi introduced en bloc Barrasso amendment #181 and Hatch amendment #179.

9:38 p.m. The budget point of order on the Casey amendment #61 is sustained 49-49. (3/5 necessary.) Senators Collins and Heller voted in favor.

9:18 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to the Casey amendment #61.

9:14 p.m. The budget point of order on the Tester amendment #104 is sustained 48-50. (3/5 necessary.) Senator Heller voted in favor.

8:56 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to the Tester amendment #104.

8:53 p.m. The Budget point of order on the Flake amendment #176 is sustained 50-48. (3/5 necessary.) Senator Portman voted against, with Senators Feinstein and Sessions not voting.

8:34 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to the Flake amendment #176.

8:32 p.m. The Budget point of order on the Baldwin amendment #81 is sustained 48-50. (3/5 necessary.) Senator Collins voted in favor, with Senators Feinstein and Sessions not voting.

8:16 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to the Baldwin amendment #81.

8:13 p.m The Budget point of order on the Heller amendment #167 is sustained 51-47. (3/5 necessary.) 100% party line with Senators Feinstein and Sessions not voting.

7:56 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to the Heller amendment #167.

7:53 p.m. The Budget point of order on the Manchin amendment #64 is sustained 51-47. (3/5 necessary). Senators Capito, Collins, Heller and Portman voted in favor. Senators Feinstein and Sessions did not vote.

7:37 p.m Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget with respect to the Manchin amendment #64.

7:34 p.m. Senators Sanders and Enzi achieved UCs on the following amendments:

Senator Sanders asked that the following amendments be made pending and considered following disposition of the Stabenow amendment #94:
Cantwell #143
Brown #86
Coons #126

Senator Enzi asked that the following amendments (Republican side by sides) be made pending:
Heller #167 (side by side to Baldwin #81)
Flake #176 (side by side to Tester #104)

Thus, here is an updated list:

Next (Republican side by sides to amendments are possible):
1. Heller #167 (side by side to Baldwin)
2. Baldwin #81
3. Flake #176 (side by side to Tester)
4. Tester #104
5. Klobuchar-Sanders #172
6. Casey #61
7. Menendez #83
8. Gillibrand #82
9. Manchin #63
10. Stabenow #94
11. Cantwell #142
12. Brown #86
13. Coons #126

7:33 p.m. The Budget point of order on the Barrasso amendment #173 is sustained 51-47. (3/5 necessary). 100% party line with Senators Feinstein and Sessions not voting.

7:12 p.m Roll call vote began on the Barrasso motion to waive the budget act in respect to the Barrasso amendment #173.

7:09 p.m. Senators Barrasso, Sanders and Manchin spoke on the Barrasso amendment #173.

7:08 p.m. The Budget point  of order on King amendment #60 is sustained 48-50. Senator Collins voted in favor, and Senators and Feinstein and Sessions did not vote.

6:52 p.m. Roll call vote began on the King motion to waive the budget act in respect to the King amendent #60.

6:51 p.m. The budget point of order on Nelson #13 is sustained by a vote of 47 to 51. 100% party line with Senators Feinstein and Sessions not voting.

6:21 p.m. Roll call vote began on the Sanders motion to waive the budget act in respect to the Nelson amend #13 (drug coverage gap under medicare)

6:06 p.m.  Senator Enzi set up the first vote schedule for the vote-a-rama. The votes will occur in the following order starting at 6:15:

• Nelson #13
• King #60
• Barrasso side-by-side to Manchin #64
• Manchin-Tester-Heitkamp #64
• Baldwin #81
• Tester #104
• Klobuchar-Sanders #172
• Casey #61
• Menendez #83
• Gillibrand #82
• Manchin #63
• Stabenow #94

5:56 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke about the Affordable Care Act.

5:35 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke on the Budget Resolution.

4:53 p.m. Senator Daines spoke on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.

4:26 p.m. Senator Lee spoke about the Affordable Care Act.

4:11 p.m. Senators Graham and Scott spoke about the Clemson Tigers winning the national football championship.

3:54 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about Russian involvement in the electoral process.

3:38 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke about repealing the Affordable Care Act.

3:36 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke on the passing of Stanley Russ.

3:18 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke about health care and bringing down premiums.

3:13 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke about repealing the Affordable Care Act.

3:06 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke about Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.

2:39 p.m. Senators Carper and Sanders spoke about the importance of the Affordable Care Act.

2:16 p.m. Senators Cornyn and Enzi spoke about the Affordable Care Act.

1:57 p.m. Senator Gardner spoke about the Affordable Care Act.

1:43 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

1:20 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about Senator Booker’s testimony at the Judiciary nomination hearing.

1:16 p.m. Senator Gillibrand spoke on the Affordable Care Act.

1:00 p.m. Senator Tester spoke on the Affordable Care Act.

12:46 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the Budget Resolution and Reconciliation.

12:28 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke about his Chief of Staff, Christopher Gann.

12:19 p.m. The Senate resumed consideration of S.Con.Res. 3, the Budget Resolution for FY2017.

12:12 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the Tillerson nomination hearing.

12:03 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Affordable Care Act.

*****

The Senate will convene this afternoon at 12:00 p.m.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.Con.Res.3, FY2017 budget resolution, with 3  hours of debate remaining on the resolution for the Republicans and 3 hours for Democrats.

Tonight’s “vote-a-rama” is expected to begin at approximately 6:00 p.m.

6:46 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday, when it will resume consideration of the budget.

5:50 p.m. Senator Brown spoke against the Budget Resolution.

4:57 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke against the Budget Resolution.

4:33 p.m. Senator Flake criticized the health care system.

4:12 p.m. Senator Durbin defended the new health care system. He also spoke about immigration.

3:47 p.m. Senator Paul spoke against the pending resolution because it doesn’t balance.

3:23 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke against dismantling Obamacare, and was joined by Senator Sanders.

3:06 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke in support of S.Con.Res. 3 and removing the burden of Obamacare.

2:50 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke in opposition to S.Con.Res. 3.

2:33 p.m. Senator Enzi spoke on S.Con.Res. 3, the Budget Resolution and repealing Obamacare.

2:15 p.m. the Senate returned from recess.

1:22 p.m. The Senate recessed to accommodate the weekly caucus luncheons.

1:21 p.m. The motion to proceed was agreed to 51-48.

Senators voting in favor: 51 Republicans.

Senators voting against: 45 Democrats, 2 independents (King and Sanders), 1 Republican (Paul).

Senators not voting: Feinstein.

12:38 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to proceed to S.Con Res. 3, the Budget Resolution.

12:20 p.m Senator Schumer spoke about his hopes for the Senate.

12:00 p.m The Senate convened and Senator McConnell spoke using his leadership time.

*****

The Senate will convene at 12:00 p.m.