6:22 p.m. Senator Cardin gave tribute to Maryland law officers.

6:20 p.m. Senator McConnell conducted wrap up.

5:28 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about patient centered care.

4:49 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about the Trump administration.

4:43 p.m. Senator Crapo spoke in favor of the Jelena Williams nomination.

4:42 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the nomination of Jelena Williams to be a member of the FDIC, 73-23.

Senators voting in favor: 49 Republicans, 23 Democrats: Bennet, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Coons, Donnelly, Hassan, Heitkamp, Jones, Kaine, Klobuchar, Leahy, Manchin, McCaskill, Menendez, Murphy, Nelson, Peters, Reed, Shaheen, Tester, Van Hollen and Warner. 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 23 Democrats.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Flake and McCain, 1 Democrat: Duckworth, 1 Independent: Sanders.

4:26 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Jelena Williams to be a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

4:25 p.m. By a tally of 72-25, cloture was invoked on the Williams nomination to be Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Senators voting in favor: 49 Republicans, 22 Democrats: Bennet, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Coons, Donnelly, Hassan, Heitkamp, Jones, Kaine, Klobuchar, Leahy, Manchin, McCaskill, Menendez, Murphy, Nelson, Peters, Reed, Tester, Van Hollen and Warner. 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 24 Democrats, 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Flake and McCain, 1 Democrat: Duckworth.

4:09 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Jelena Williams to be Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation  (FDIC).

4:08 p.m. The motion to concur re: S. 2372 was agreed to 92-5.

Senators voting against: 2 Republicans: Corker and Rounds, 2 Democrats: Merkley and Schatz, I Rounds, Sanders and Schatz.

Senators not voting: Duckworth, Flake and McCain.

3:50 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to concur with respect to S.2372, the VA Choice Act.

3:49 p.m. Senate confirms Brian Montgomery to be an Asst Sec of HUD 74-23.

Senators voting in favor: 49 Republicans, 24 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 22 Democrats: Blumenthal, Brown, Cantwell, Casey, Cortez Masto, Durbin, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Harris, Heinrich, Hirono, Markey, Merkley, Murray, Reed, SSchumer, Shaheen, Stabenow, Udall, Warren, Whitehouse and Wyden; 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: Duckworth, Flake and McCain.

3:15 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Brian Montgomery to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing And Urban Development.

3:09 p.m. Senators Isakson and Tester wrapped up debate on the VA Choice Act.

3:00 p.m. Senator Crapo spoke on the Montgomery nomination.

2:41 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about Memorial Day and the VA Choice Act.

2:34 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about a recently passed water infrastructure bill.

1:41 p.m. Senators Isakson, Hoeven, Blunt, Boozman, Lankford and Enzi  spoke about the VA Choice Act.

1:23 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about Russian interference in the 2016 election.

1:02 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke about anti-trust law.

12:53 p.m. Senator Brown spoke against the Montgomery nomination.

12:28 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about the trade imbalance with China.

11:58 a.m. Senator Carper spoke about the Mueller investigation.

11:42 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about Chinese investment in the U.S.

11:15 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the anti-harrassment measures. He spoke about the Mueller investigation.

11:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about measures to prevent workplace harassment and about the veterans health bill. He spoke about the Montgomery and McWilliams nominations. He spoke about the bill to revise financial regulations.

The Senate meets on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Following Leader remarks, under a previous order, the Senate will consider Exec. Cal. #593 the nomination of Brian Montgomery to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Following disposition of the Montgomery nomination, the Senate will resume consideration of the House message on S. 2372, VA Choice Act. At 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday the Senate will have up to 5 votes:

1. Confirmation of Cal. #593 Brian Montgomery to be an Assistant Secretary of HUD.
2. Motion to waive to the Budget Act with respect to S.2372, Veterans Choice (if a point of order is raised)
3. Motion to concur in the House amendment to S.2372, Veterans Choice (passage)
4. Motion to invoke cloture on Exec. Cal. #670 Jelena McWilliams to be Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of five years
5. Motion to invoke cloture on Exec. Cal. #672 Jelena McWilliams to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of six years
*If cloture is invoked on the McWilliams nominations, the post-cloture time will run concurrently.

6:45 p.m. Senate adjourns until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday.

6:34 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell paid tribute to Senator McCain, as well as discussing the new embassy in Jerusalem and thoughts about former Senator Reid.

Confirmed in wrap-up by voice vote: Nomination of Michael Atkinson to be Inspector General of the Intelligence community.

6:33 p.m. The St Eve nomination was confirmed 91-0.  Senators absent: Blunt, Cruz, Duckworth, Graham, Heller, Lankford, Lee, Manchin and McCain.

6:06 p.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of the Amy St. Eve nomination to be the US Circuit Judge for the 7th Circuit.

6:00 p.m. The Scudder nomination was confirmed 90-0. Senators absent: Blunt, Cruz, Duckworth, Graham, Heller, Lankford, Lee, Manchin, McCain and Nelson.

5:31 p.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of the nomination of Michael Scudder to be US Circuit Judge for the 7th Circuit.

4:54 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about former Senator Harry Reid’s health and intellectual property and trade policy with China. He also spoke about oil prices.

4:44 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about National Police Week.

4:14 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the judicial nominees.

3:50 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about National Police Week.

3:02 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke about Israel.

****

The Senate meets at 3:00 p.m. on May 14th. Following leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of Executive Calendar #780, Michael Scudder, of Illinois, to be Judge for the 7th Circuit.

6:23 p.m. The Senate adjourned until Tuesday May 8 at 2:30 p.m.

6:18 p.m. Senator Cantwell paid tribute to civil rights leader Samuel McKinney.

6:14 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke in support of the Engelhardt nomination.

6:12 p.m. ML McConnell wraps up for the evening. Items passed by UC: S. 1732, regarding testing of incentive payments for behavioral health providers for adoption. HR 4, FAA reauthorization was read for the first time. UC that the Senate adjourn until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, at which time resume consideration of the Engelhardt nomination, post cloture. UC that Senate adjourn following remarks of Senators Cassidy and Cantwell.

6:11 p.m. By a vote of 64-31, cloture was invoked on the Engelhard nomination.

Senators voting in favor: 48 Republicans, 15 Democrats: Bennet, Carper, Coons, Donnelly, Feinstein, Heitkamp, Jones, Klobuchar, Leahy, Manchin, McCaskill, Murphy, Nelson, Tester, Warner; 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 30 Democrats, 1 Independent: Sanders

Senator not voting: Duckworth, Graham, Isakson, McCain and Merkley.

5:30 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the Engelhardt nomination.

5:15 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke in favor of the Engelhardt nomination.

4:15 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about hurricane damage in Puerto Rico.

4:00 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the nominee for director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

3:30 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke in memory of Michael Beaver. He spoke about nominations. He spoke about the tax program.

3:03 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke in memory of assistant parliamentarian Michael Beaver. He spoke about nominations. He spoke about employment.

*****

The Senate will convene at 3:00 pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to resume consideration of Executive Calendar #673, Kurt D. Engelhardt, of Louisiana, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit.

At 5:30 pm the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Engelhardt nomination

Majority Leader McConnell has also filed cloture on the following nominations:

• Michael Brennan to be a United States Circuit Judge for the 7^th Circuit
• Joel Carson III to be a United States Circuit Judge for the 10^th Circuit
• John Nalbandian to be a United States Circuit Judge for the 6^th Circuit
• Michael Scudder to be a United States Circuit Judge for the 7^th Circuit
• Amy St. Eve to be a United States Circuit Judge for the 7^th Circuit

The cloture motions on each nomination will ripen one at a time, after disposition of the previous nomination. Each is subject to up to thirty hours of post-cloture debate.

6:57 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 10. By consent, the Senate will resume consideration of the Claria Boom nomination to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky. There will be a confirmation vote at 12:10 p.m.

The Senate will recess for party lunches from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m., whereupon there will be a cloture vote on the nomination of John F. Ring to a five-year term on the National Labor Relations Board.

During wrap-up, Senator McConnell initiated action on these matters:

— Confirmation, en bloc by a voice vote, of these nominations to Energy Department positions: James Riley, director of the U.S. Geological Survey, Theodore Gerrish, assistant secretary for international affairs, and James Campos, director of the Office of Minority economic Impact

— Passage by consent of H.R. 3445, to accelerate programs under the African Growth and Opportunity Act; S. Res. 85, calling on Iran to assist in the case of Robert Levinson; S. Res. 432, congratulating Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania upon the 100th anniversary of their declarations of independence; H.R. 3979, to amend the Fish and Wildlife Act.

6:35 p.m. Senator Udall spoke in tribute to the friendship of Senator McCain and the late Morris Udall.

6:08 p.m. Senator Alexander achieves a UC agreement that a time to be determined, the Senate take up the nomination of Carlos Muniz to be General Counsel at the Department of Education, with up to ten (10) hours of debate before a roll call vote on the nomination.

6:07 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Boom nomination, 96-2.  Voting NAY: Democrat Hirono and independent Sanders. Senators Duckworth and McCain did not vote.

5:31 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the Boom nomination.

5:08 p.m. Senator Isakson paid tribute to former Senator Zell Miller.

4:52 p.m. Senator Schatz paid tribute to former Senator Akaka.

4:42 p.m. Senator Hirono paid tribute to former Senator Akaka.

3:04 p.m. Senator Wicker escorted Senator-designate Hyde-Smith to the well of the Senate, where Vice President Pence administered the oath of office.

Present, besides the senators from Mississippi, were Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, and Republican Senators Hatch, Collins, Alexander and Young. The Family Gallery and several rows in the Visitors Gallery were full.

3:05 p.m. Senator McConnell spoke in memory of former Senators Zell and Akaka. He spoke in favor of the nomination of Claria Boom to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky. He discussed other nominations. He spoke about the tax program.

Under Rule XIV, Senator McConell took steps to bring directly to the floor S. 2629, to improve postal operations, and H.R. 5247 to permit the prescription of certain drugs to certain patients.

3:11 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke in memory of Senator Akaka. He welcomed Senator Hyde-Smith. He spoke about nominations, the tax program and about Secretary Pruit.

***

•The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. At that time, Senator-designate Cindy Hyde-Smith will be sworn in as Senator from the State of Mississippi.  The Senate will then resume consideration of the nomination of Claria Boom to be a US District Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky.

• At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the Boom nomination.

• Majority Leader McConnell has filed cloture on the Boom, Ring, Pizzella, Wheeler, Broomes, and Jennings nominations. The cloture petitions on each of the nominations will ripen one at a time, after disposition of the previous nomination. Each is subject to up to thirty hours of post-cloture debate

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 12:00 p.m., Senator Blunt presided and no business was conducted.

7:18 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday.

7:14 p.m. ML McConnell announced UC on HR 1865, on Wednesday at a time to be determined, after four hours of debate on two amendments by Senator Wyden, the Senate vote on the amendments with 60 vote thresholds. Following the disposition of HR 1865. UC that at a time on Tuesday, Senator Sanders, or designee, will then make a motion to discharge S.J.Res. 54, Yemen. There will be up to 4 hours of debate equally divided between the opponents and proponents. Upon the use or yielding back of time, there will be a roll call vote in relation to the motion to discharge. We expect a motion to table the motion to discharge around the 4:00pm range.

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

On Wednesday, March 21, at a time to be determined, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R.1865, SESTA/FOSTA. The only amendments in order are Wyden amendment #2122 and Wyden amendment #2213. There will be up to 4 hours of debate concurrently on the amendments and that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will vote in relation to the amendments in the order listed, with a 60 vote threshold required for adoption of each amendment. Upon disposition of the amendments, the Senate will vote on passage of the bill, as amended, if amended.

Agreed to/confirmed in wrap-up: Legislative Business
H.R.3731, Secret Service Recruitment w/Grassley sub

Executive Business
Confirmed Executive Calendar #471, Nazakhtar, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce

6:50 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about the crisis in Yemen.

6:29 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about the Online Sex Trafficking Prevention Act.

6:25 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1865 by a vote of 94 to 2. Senators Paul and Wyden voted no.

Those not voting: Burr, McCain, Roberts and Toomey.

6:06 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1865, the Online Sex Trafficking Prevention Act.

6:04 p.m. The McAleenan nomination was confirmed 77-19.

Senators voting in favor: 50 Republicans, 26 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 18 Democrats: Blumenthal, Booker, Cardin, Duckworth, Durbin, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Harris, Heinrich, Kaine, Markey, Menendez, Merkley, Schatz, Schumer, Udall, Van Hollen and Warren; 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: Burr, McCain, Roberts and Toomey.

5:36 p.m. Roll call vote began on the McAleenan nomination.

5:32 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about the McAleenan nomination.

5:24 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about gun control.

5:11 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about citizenship.

5:00 p.m. Senator Tester spoke about banking reform bill.

4:48 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about gun control.

3:29 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about his measure to restrict firearms sales to certain sufferers from mental illness. He spoke about the sex-trafficking bill. He spoke about support for the Saudi-led opposition in Yemen.

3:06 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the omnibus spending bill, the McAleenan nomination and the anti-sex trafficking bill.

3:03 p.m. The Senate resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 1865.

* * * * *

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 1865, Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017.

At 5:30 p.m. the Senate will have 2 roll call votes:

The Senate has adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 13th and will resume post-cloture time on the substitute amendment #2151 to S.2155, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act.

During wrap-up: The request for the Secretary of the Senate to request the papers regarding H.R. 1207 to be returned was agreed to by unanimous consent.

****

6:22 p.m. Senator Brown spoke against the banking bill.

6:18 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Crapo substitute amendment, 66-30.

Senators voting in favor: 49 Republicans, 16 Democrats (Bennet, Carper, Coons, Donnelly, Hassan, Heitkamp, Jones, Kaine, Manchin, McCaskill, Nelson, Peters, Shaheen, Stabenow, Tester, and Warner); 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 29 Democrats, 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: McCain and Paul, Democrats: Duckworth and Heinrich

5:37 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the substitute amendment #2151 to S.2155, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act.

5:33 p.m. Senator Flake spoke against tariffs.

5:27 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about the importance of nutrition.

4:58 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about gun control.

4:43 p.m. Senator Warren spoke about the banking bill.

4:28 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the banking bill.

4:15 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about gun control and Russia.

4:03 p.m.  ML McConnell spoke about the NCAA tournament, S.2155, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, and tax reform.

The Senate will convene at 4:00 pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.2155, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act.

At 5:30 pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on substitute amendment #2151, as modified, to S.2155.

Please note, the Leader filed cloture on substitute amendment #2151, as modified, in relation to S.2155, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, and the underlying bill S.2155.

The filing deadlines with respect to the cloture motions filed will be as follows:

• At 4:30 pm, First Degree amendments
• At 5:30 pm, Second Degree amendments

7:17 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

7:10 p.m. The Senate consented to the confirmation of the nomination of Jeffrey Gerrish to be a deputy U.S. Trade Representative. The Senate consented to convene at 10 a.m. on Tuesday and, after leader remarks, to resume debate on confirmation of the nomination of Terry Doughty, of Louisiana, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana. A confirmation vote is expected at about 11 a.m.

After disposition of the Doughty nomination the Senate will resume consideration of cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act.  The Senate will recess for party lunches from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m.

6:53 p.m. Senator Casey spoke about the conflict in Syria and about the Mueller investigation.

6:43 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke against President Trump’s imposition of tariffs.

6:42 p.m. Self nomination was confirmed by a vote of 96 to 0. Not voting: Cruz, McCain, Murkowski and Sullivan.

6:10 p.m. Scholer nomination was confirmed by a vote of 95 to 0. Not voting were Senators Cruz, Heitkamp, McCain, Murkowski and Sullivan.

5:30 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Karen Scholer to be a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas. Next, we expect a roll call vote on confirmation of Tilman Self to be a United States District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia.

5:11 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke about the Self nomination.

4:47 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about hurricane disaster relief and gun control.

3:54 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the Economic Growth Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act and tax reform.

3:45 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the shooting in Parkland Florida and tax reform.

3: 32 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke about a immigration.

3:15 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration.

3:02 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell paid tribute to victorious college basketball teams from Kentucky. He called for confirmation of pending judicial nominations. He spoke about the tax overhaul.

***

12:00 p.m. The Senate convened and the Majority Leader presided. No business was conducted. The Senate meets next for a pro forma session at 5:00 p.m on February 20th.

6:41 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 11. They will resume consideration of the Brown nomination with a vote to occur at noon on confirmation. There will be a cloture vote on the nomination of Walter Counts to be District judge for Texas immediately after the Brown vote.

During wrap up the Senate passed S. 875, a bill to require the Comptroller General of the US to conduct a study and submit a report on filing requirement under the Universal Service Fund program.

6:21 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about DACA.

6:08 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about DACA.

5:39 p.m. Senators Kaine and Klobuchar spoke about DACA.

5:26 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke about immigration.

5:05 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about ballistic defense.

5:04 p.m. Senator McConnell announced that there will be a confirmation vote on the Brown nomination at noon tomorrow followed by a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Walter Counts nomination to be District Judge. If cloture is invoked, a vote on confirmation will occur at 1:45.

3:57 p.m. Senator Reed spoke about Iran.

3:26 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

3:25 p.m. By a vote of 97-1 the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Michael Brown to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. Senator Hirono voted no. Senators Booker and McCain did not vote.

2:59 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Michael Brown to be a US District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia.

2:58 p.m. 98-0 the Senate confirmed nomination of Thomas Parker to be US District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee. Senators Booker and McCain did not vote

2:30 p.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of Thomas Parker to be a US District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee.

2:02 p.m. Senator Isaacson spoke about the Brown nomination.

1:54 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about the agriculture industry.

1:46 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke about the tax reform bill.

1:01 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about tax reform.

12:39 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about the budget and DACA.

12:21 p.m. Senator Heinrich spoke about immigration.

12:00 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about offshore oil drilling.

11:33 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

10:33 a.m. Senator Cornyn responded to Senator Merkley and spoke about funding the military.

10:16 a.m. Senator Merkely spoke about governing for the people.

10:07 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about government spending and DACA.

9:35 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the positive affects of tax reform.

9:30 a.m. The Senate convenened and resumed consideration of the nomination of Thomas Lee Robinson Parker, to be US District Judge for the Western District of TN.

*****

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will be in Executive Session and resume consideration of the nomination of Executive Calendar #371, Thomas Lee Robinson Parker, of Tennessee to be US District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee, post-cloture.

At 2:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Parker nomination and upon its disposition there will be an immediate cloture vote on Executive Calendar #389, Michael Lawrence Brown, of Georgia, to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia.