7:13 p.m. Senate adjourns until 10:00am Tuesday morning.

7:09 p.m. Majority Leader does wrap up.  UC that Senate debate the nomination of  Robert McDonald to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 12-12:30, and from 2:15 to 2:45 pm, with a vote on confirmation at 2:45pm. Followed by a likely voice vote on the nomination of Joan Polaschik to be Ambassador to Algeria.  Passes by UC: S Res 525, Whistle Blower Appreciation Day.  S. 2673 (a bill to enhance strategic partnership with Israel) and HR 3339 (tax benefits for educational expenses) have their first reading.  UC that Senate adjourn until 10:00am, Tuesday July 29th.  Morning business until 12:00noon.  Following executive session, and votes, turn to highway bill with votes on amendments and passage expected Tuesday evening.

6:35 p.m. Senators Whitehouse, Boxer and Klobuchar spoke in favor of the resolution.

6:16 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke on a resolution that climate change is real; offers UC to pass this Sense of the Senate resolution, Senator Inhofe objected and spoke against the resolution.

6:12 p.m. ML Reid “fills the tree” with respect to S.2569, the “Bring Jobs Home Act”; and files cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2648, the emergency supplemental.

6:11 p.m Senate confirms following nominations by voice vote:

Joseph Mohorovic to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Elliot F. Kaye to be a Commissioner and Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Brian P. McKeon to be a Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

6:09 p.m. Harris nomination confirmed 50-43.

5:30 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Pamela Harris to be a US Circuit Court Judge for the 4th Circuit.

5:13 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke on the Harris nomination.

4:59 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke on the highway bill and the nature of the Senate.

4:32 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke on the nature of the Senate.

4:13 p.m. Senator spoke on the Harris nomination.

4:02 p.m. Senator Coons spoke about manufacturing jobs.

3:33 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about the need to pass a long-term highway bill.

2:49 p.m. Senator Sessions spoke about illegal immigration.

2:29 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about a China trade case.

2:03 p.m. Majority Leader Reid spoke about the schedule; the situation in Gaza; forest fires in Western states; and the border crisis.

* * *

• The Senate will convene at 2:00pm and proceed to Executive Session to resume consideration of the nomination of Pamela Harris to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, post-cloture.   At 5:30pm, all post-cloture time on the Harris nomination will be deemed expired and the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of her nomination.

• Following disposition of the Harris nomination, the Senate will proceed to voice votes in relation to the following nominations:

• Joseph P. Mohorovic to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Elliot F. Kaye to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Elliot F. Kaye to be Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Brian P. McKeon to be a Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

6:06 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 2:00 pm, Monday, July 21. Up to 3 votes expected on Monday at 5:30 p.m.

• Confirmation of Julie E. Carnes to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the 11th Circuit.
• Confirmation of Michael Anderson Lawson to be Ambassador on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
• Confirmation of Eunice S. Reddick to be Ambassador to the Republic of Niger.

During wrap-up the following legsislation was passed without objection:

• S. Res. 489 Senate’s Support for Israel as it Defends Itself Against Unprovoked Rocket Attacks from the Hamas Terrorist Organization.
• S. Res. 488 Designating July 26, 2014, as National Day of the American Cowboy.
• S. Res. 507 Designating August 7, 2014, as National Lighthouse and Lightouse Preservation Day.
• S. Res. 508 Commemorating Centennial Anniversary of the Congressional Research Service.

S. 2631 Prevent Expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program Unlawfully Created by Executive Memorandum on August, 15 2012, was read for the first time.

***

5:27 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke on the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict.

5:22 p.m. Senator Graham spoke on the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict.

4:38 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke on the Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act.

4:17 p.m. Senators Leahy and Sanders spoke on the 90th birthday of former Vermont governor Philip Hoff.

***

3:35 p.m. Senator Sessions spoke about immigration.

2:30 p.m. Senator Ayotte spoke about providing military supplies and support to Ukraine.

2:24 p.m. Senators Shaheen and Ayotte spoke on the Marketplace Fairness Act.

2:23 p.m Cloture invoked on Carnes nomination 68-23.  Senate confirms nominations of David Shear to be Assistant Secretary of Defense, and David Mader to be Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management of the Office of Management and Budget by voice vote.  There are NO further votes today or this week.

1:53 p.m. Senate began cloture vote on the nomination of Julie Carnes to be a US Circuit Court Judge for the 11th Circuit.

1:45 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke about the border crisis.

1:25 p.m. Senators Graham and Corker engaged in a colloquy on Iran.

1:15 p.m. Senators Cardin, Paul, and Corker  spoke on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

1:14 p.m. ML Reid moved the cloture vote on Carnes nomination up from 2:00pm to 1:45pm.

1:14 p.m. Senate adopted S. 2244, Terrorism Risk Insurance bill by a vote of 93-4.  Senators Coburn, Roberts, Rubio, and Sessions voted no.  Senators Alexander, Coons, and Schatz missed the vote.

12:49 p.m.  Senate adopts Flake amendment #3551 97-0; and begins a roll call vote on passage of S.2244, Terrorism Risk Insurance.

12:35 p.m. The motion to waive the budget act with respect to the Coburn Amend #3549 was not agreed to by 47 to 49. Therefore, the point of order was sustained and  Amendment #3549 falls.  Senate  then adopted Vitter Amend #3550 by a voice vote and proceeded to a roll call vote on Flake Amedment #3551.

12:00 p.m. Senator Schumer raises budget point of order against Coburn amendment; Senator Crapo offers motion to waive budget act; and the Senate begins a roll call vote on motion to waive budget act with respect to Coburn amendment.

11:55 a.m. Senators Crapo and Schumer wrapped up in favor of the bill and against the Coburn amendment.

11:40 a.m. Senator Heller spoke for the bill.

11:32 a.m. Senator Johnson (SD) spoke in favor of the bill.

11:22 a.m. Senator Crapo spoke for the Vitter amendment. Senator Coburn brought up his amendment, #3549.

11:16 a.m. Senator Vitter brought up his amendment, #3550.

11:01 a.m. Senator Murphy spoke in favor of the bill.

10:55 a.m. Senator Crapo spoke in favor of the Flake and Tester amendments to the terrorism insurance bill.

10:40 a.m. Senator Flake offered and spoke on his amendment, #3551.

10:09 a.m. Senators Schumer, Tester, Johanns, Crapo, and Kirk spoke on the Terrorism Risk Insurance bill, with Sen. Tester introducing his amendment,#3552.

10:04 a.m. Senator Nelson spoke on the border crisis and the drug trade.

10:03 a.m. Senate begins consideration of S.2244, Terrorism Risk Insurance bill.

9:56 a.m. RL McConnell spoke against EPA regulations.

9:54 a.m. ML Reid gets UC agreement to proceed at 2:00pm to a cloture vote on the nomination of Julie Carnes to be a US Circuit Court Judge for the 11th Circuit; followed by two likely voice votes on confirmation of the nominations of David Shear to be Assistant Secretary of Defense, and David Mader to be Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management  of the Office of Management and Budget.  If cloture is invoked on the Carnes nomination, the vote on confirmation would be on Monday July 21st at 5:30pm. 

9:32 a.m.  ML Reid laid out the schedule for the day, and spoke on the border crisis; as well as thanking Ambassadorial corps and members of the Foreign Service, concerned about many Ambassadorial vacancies.

The Senate convened at 9:30am, and following leader remarks, will proceed to consideration of S. 2244, Terrorism Risk Insurance bill, with debate on the following amendments prior to votes at approximately 12:00noon.

1.  Coburn amendment #3549 (roll call vote on motion to waive budget point of order expected, with 60 vote threshold)

2. Vitter amendment #3550 (voice vote expected)

3. Flake amendment #3551 (roll call vote expected, majority threshold)

4. Tester amendment $3552 (voice vote expected)

5. Final passage of S.2244 (roll call vote, majority threshold)

There is likely to be agreement for a cloture vote at 2:0opm on the nomination of Julie Carnes to be a US Circuit Court Judge for the 11th Circuit.

7:25 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30 a.m.  Wednesday and will have the first roll call vote of the day at 10:15.

6:40 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on Immigration.

6:25 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on climate change.

6:10 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

5:30 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke on the current situation in Iran.

5:00 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke on the current situation in Iran.

4:48 p.m. Senator Warren spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

4:13 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke against the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

4:09 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

4:08 p.m.  LaFleur nomination confirmed 90 – 7.  The following nominations were confirmed by voice vote:

James Nealon, Ambassador, Honduras.

Robert Wood, Ambassador, U.S. Representative to the conference on disarmament.
Paul Nathan Jaenichen, Sr., to be Ambassador of the Maritime Administration.

3:42 p.m. Bay nomination confirmed 52-45, roll call vote begins on the nomination of Cheryl LaFleur to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

3:16 p.m.  Roll call vote began on the nomination of Norman Bay to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

3:07 p.m. Senator Landrieu spoke in favor of the Bay and LaFleur nominations.

3:05 p.m. ML Reid got Unanimous Consent to add the following nominations to the vote sequence:

James Nealon to be Ambassador to Honduras; Robert Wood to be US Representative to the Conference on Disarmanment; and Paul Jaenichen to be Administrator of the Maritime Commission; all expected to be confirmed by voice vote.

2:55 p.m. Senator Thune spoke on the economy and the Affordable Care Act.

2:51 p.m. Senator Heinrich spoke in favor of the pending nominations.

2:35 p.m. Senator Ayotte spoke against the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

2:28 p.m. Senator Mikulski spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

2:15 p.m.  Senate returned from recess.  Senator Murkowski spoke against the Bay nomination.

12:49 p.m. Cloture invoked 85-10 on the LaFleur nomination, Senate stands in recess until 2:15pm.

12:29 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Cheryl LaFleur to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

12:28 p.m. Cloture invoked 51-45 on the Bay nomination.

12:02 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Norman Bay to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

11:38 a.m. Senator Coats spoke on the border crisis.

11:24 a.m Senator Barrasso spoke on the Affordable Care Act.

11:14 a.m. Senator Portman spoke on a humanitarian crisis in the Congo.

11:08 a.m. Senator Hagan spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

10:50 a.m. Senator Boxer spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby”bill.

10:42 a.m. Senator Booker spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby”bill.

10:31 a.m. Senator Murray spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby”bill.

10:23 a.m. Senator Udall (CO) spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

10:12 a.m. Minority Leader McConnell spoke on the health care law, against the Hobby Lobby bill, and against the nomination of Norman C. Bay to FERC.

10:03 a.m. Majority Leader Reid brought up for second reading: S. 2599, a bill to stop sexual trafficking in children; H.R. 4718, a bill to amend the tax code on bonus appreciation.

Senator Reid also spoke in favor of S. 2578, the “Hobby Lobby” contraception bill.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00am.

Following Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 12:00 noon.

At 12:00 noon, the Senate will proceed to a series of 2 roll call votes on the following motions:

– Cloture on the nomination of Norman Bay, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

– Cloture on the nomination of Cheryl LaFleur to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Following the cloture vote on the LaFleur nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

If cloture is invoked on either of the nominations, the time from 2:15pm until 3:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

At 3:00pm, the Senate would proceed to vote on confirmation of the nominations.

On Monday evening, ML Reid filed cloture on the nomination of Ronnie White to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri; and he also filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2578, the “Hobby Lobby” contraception bill. Votes on these cloture motions can occur after the Senate convenes on Wednesday, July 16.

– Confirmation of Executive Calendar #839, Norman C. Bay, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

– Confirmation of Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

6:41 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will convene at noon on Monday, June 30 for a pro forma session. On Monday, July 7, the Senate will convene at 2:00 p.m.  At 5:30 p.m. they will proceed to Executive Session  and vote on confirmation of  Cheryl Krause.

5:45 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke about Howard Baker.

5:40 p.m. Senator Levin spoke about Iraq.

5:25 p.m. Senator McCain spoke about India.

5:15 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about the kidnapped Israeli boys.

5:00 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke about Veteran’s benefits.

4:35 p.m. Senator Sessions spoke about immigration and the child tax credit.

4:18 p.m.  Senator Bennett spoke about immigration.

3:56 p.m. Senator Coons spoke about job training.

3:16 p.m. Senators McCain and Graham engage in a colloquy on Syria and Iraq.

3:10 p.m. Senator Markey speaks on abortion clinic access.

2:58 p.m. Senator Rubio joins Sen Cruz on IRS scandal, speaks briefly on World Cup, and moves on to discuss the crisis in Venezuela.

2:50 p.m. Senator Cruz continues on IRS scandal.

2:45 p.m. Senator Wyden objects, Finance committee one of many investigating this issue.

2:17 p.m.  Senator Cruz spoke on the IRS scandal.  Asks UC to pass S. Res 487 on this issue.

***

2:11 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Stuart Jones to be the Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq by a roll call of 93-0.

The following nominations were confirmed by voice vote:

• Robert Beecroft to be Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt
• Karen Dynan to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
• Esther Kai’aina to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior
• Vincent Logan to be Special Trustee, Office of Special Trustee  for American Indians, Department of the Interior
• Jo Handelsman to be Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy

***

1:36 p.m. Senator Mikulski spoke about Senator Howard Baker and the kidnapped Nigerian girls.

1:27 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke about Senator Howard Baker and Alaskan Sgt. Sparks, a pararescue airman who will be awarded the Silver Star for heroism in Afghanistan.

1:22 p.m. Senator Reid spoke about the death of retired Senator Howard Baker of Tennessee.

1:21 p.m. Senator McConnell spoke about the death of retired Senator and Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker.

1:00 p.m. Senator Durbin began a speech on immigration. Like Senator Cornyn, he spoke about unaccompanied minors crossing the southern U.S. border.

12:51 p.m. Senator Durbin questioned Senator on Cornyn on immigration. They engaged in a back-and-forth.

12:30 p.m. Senator McCain joined Senator Cornyn to speak about immigration. He then turned the floor back over to Senator Cornyn.

12:25 p.m. — The Senate voted 57-39 to invoke cloture on the nomination of Cheryl Krause of New Jersey to be a judge on the 3rd circuit.

12:25 p.m. — Senator Cornyn began speaking on immigration.

11:36 a.m. — Senator McConnell spoke on healthcare reform.

11:17 a.m. — Senator Murray speaks on immigration reform.

10:49 a.m. — Senator Vitter speaks on the VA scandal.

10:36 a.m. — Senator Grassley speaks on the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn President Obama’s recess appointments.

10:05 a.m. — Senator Toomey speaks in favor of Krause nomination.

9:50 a.m. — Senator Sanders speaks on rising gas prices.

9:42 a.m. — RL McConnell speaks on Senate Democrats and energy bills.

9:32 a.m. — ML Reid offered motion to proceed to S.2363, Sportsmans Bill. HR 3301 has its second reading. UC to move 12:00pm vote up 15 minutes to 11:45am. Speaks on one year anniversary of Senate passage of immigration reform and the House GOP leadership.

The Senate convened at 9:30am, following Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11:45am.

At 11:45am, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Cheryl Krause to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit.

At 1:45pm, there will be up to 6 roll call votes (only one expected):

– Executive Calendar #897 Stuart E. Jones, of Virginia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Iraq,

– Executive Calendar #896 Robert Stephen Beecroft, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Arab Republic of Egypt (expected voice vote),

– Executive Calendar #654 Karen Dynan – to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (expected voice vote),

– Executive Calendar #557 Esther Puakela Kia’aina, of Hawaii, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior (expected voice vote),

– Executive Calendar #620 Vincent G. Logan, of New York, to be Special Trustee, Office of Special Trustee for American Indians, Department of the Interior (expected voice vote), and

– Executive Calendar #503 Jo Emily Handelsman, of Connecticut, to be an Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (expected voice vote).

6:48 p.m. — The Senate adjourned and will reconvene on Monday, June 23 at 2:00 p.m. The Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the four judicial nominations at 5:30 p.m. The cloture vote on Leon Rodriguez will occur on Tuesday.

6:40 p.m. — Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations:

• Paul Byron, of Florida, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida
• Carlos Mendoza, of Florida, to be U.S. Distrit Judge for the Middle District of Florida
• Beth Bloom, of Florida, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida
• Geoffrey Crawford, of Vermont, to be U.S. District Judge for Vermont
• Leon Rodriguez to be Director of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services for the Department of Homeland Security

4:22 p.m. — Senator Barrasso spoke on the health care law.

4:08 p.m. — Senator Reed spoke on appropriations and on unemployment insurance.

3:45 p.m. — Senator Cruz spoke on Iraq.

3:17 Sen. Rubio spoke on the crisis in Iraq.

2:53 Sen. Hatch spoke on the state of the Senate and the IRS scandal.

2:45 Sen. Boxer spoke on the 60 votes threshold regarding the Appropriations bill.

2:42 Sen. Reid spoke on Republicans’ obstructing Senate business.

2:36 Sen. Alexander spoke on the 60 votes threshold regarding the Appropriations bill.

2:34 Sen. McConnell spoke on amendments under the Appropriations bill.

2:30 Sen Mikulski speaks on Appropriations bill.

2:28 Senate confirms the Nichols, McWatters, and Wormuth nominations by voice vote.

2:27 RL McConnell objects to original request.

2:26 ML Reid objects to modification.

2:23 RL McConnell seeks to modify request to regular order on amendments.

2:17 ML Reid offers consent to move forward on HR 4466, minibus Appropriations bill, with 60 vote threshold for amendments.

2:16: Senate confirms Aguilar nomination 54-38.

Senate will vote conduct up to 4 votes at 1:45:

Cal # 770 – Gustavo Aguilar, DC, to be Asst Secy of HUD
Cal #538 – Brian Nichols, to be Ambassador of Peru
Cal # 766 –  J. Mark McWatters, TX, to be Member of National Credit Union Administration Board
Cal #712 – Christine Wormuth, VA, to be Under Secy of Defense for Policy

1:10 – Kirk spoke on the sudden death of his scheduler, Lisa Radogno.

1:01 Landrieu spoke on truck driver fatigue and regulations regarding sleep mandates.

12:56 – Heller speaks on his amend to Approps Minibus.

12:45 Sen Blunt on truck drivers and fatigue.

12:24 Sen Collins responds to Sen Booker on truck driver fatigue.

12:07 Sen Booker speaks on an amendment he will offer regarding truck driver fatigue.

11:56 Sen Inhofe speaks on amendments he will be offering on transportation portion.

11:55 Senate resumes consideration of the motion to proceed to HR 4660 (Appropriations minibus bill)

11:41 Sen Cardin spoke on the regional conservation partnership program.

11:11 Sen Kaine spoke to introduce a resolution to hold a Welcome Home Commemoration for veterans who have served since September 11, 2001 on Nov. 11, 2014.

11:02 Sen Manchin spoke on the anniversary of West Virginia

10:45 Sen. Sen. Blumenthal spoke on gun violence.

10:38 Sen. Sessions spoke on the situation in Iraq.

10:23 Sen. Inhofe spoke on the release of prisoners from Guantanamo and the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. Sen. Cornyn spoke on national security and the national debt.

10:16 Sen. Burr spoke on Afghanistan and terroism.

10:07  The Senate is in a period of morning business.  Sen. Chambliss spoke about U.S. foreign policy in Syria and Iraq.

10:03  In a period of morning business, Sen. McCain spoke about Iraq, ISIS and the danger for the United States.  Sen. Graham also spoke about the dangers posed by the situation in Iraq.

During the time reserved for leader remarks, Sen. Reid spoke about the “cult of Koch” and the influence of the Koch brothers.  He endorsed a Udall-Bennet proposed Constitutional amendment to allow Congress to regulate campaign finance.  Sen. McConnell spoke about the effect of withdrawing the Energy-Water bill on Kentucky coal families and about President Obama’s foreign policy.

The Senate will convene at 9:30am and after one hour of morning business, resume consideration of the motion to proceed to HR 4466.  At 12:45,all post cloture time will be deemed expired; therefore the Senate is expected to begin consideration of the bill at that time.  There are no votes scheduled at this time.

7:15 – The Senate Adjourned until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Votes are possible around 12:30 pm.  (there is no UC at this time).

6:16 p.m.  – Senator Reid appointed conferees to HR 3220 – Veterans Affairs: Sanders, Murray, Brown, Tester, Begich, Blumnethal, Hirono, Burr, Isakson, Johanns, McCain, Coburn and Rubio.

1:01 p.m. -- Senator Barrasso spoke on the Keystone XL pipeline and the inability to offer amendments in the Senate.

12:03 a.m. — Senator Shelby spoke on H.R. 4660.

11:54 a.m. — Senator Graham joined Sen. McCain in his discussion on Iraq.

11:31 a.m. — Senator McCain spoke on the crisis in Iraq.

11:12 a.m. — Senator Blunt spoke on H.R. 4660.

11:01 a.m. — Senator Pryor spoke on H.R. 4660.

10:55 a.m. — Senator Mikulski spoke on H.R. 4660.

10:54 a.m. — Senator Reid spoke on the Washington Redskins’ name.

10:40 a.m. — Senator Collins spoke on H.R. 4660.

10:36 a.m. — Senator Cantwell spoke on the Washington Redskins’ name.

10:27 a.m.  — Senator Murray spoke for the motion.

10:12 a.m. — Senator Shelby spoke for the motion to proceed to the appropriation.

9:58 a.m. — Senator Mikulski spoke for the motion to proceed to HR 4660.

9:44 a.m. — The minority leader spoke on GOP jobs programs and paid tribute to the late MSGT  Aaron Torian USMC.

9:32 a.m. — The majority leader noted that the pending business is the motion to proceed to HR 4660 (Commerce, State, Justice, Transportation, etc. appropriation. Leader also discussed the ISIS offensive in Iraq.

The Senate will convene at 9:30am and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to HR 4660, the Commerce/Justice/Science/Transportation/HUD/Agriculture Appropriations bill.

7:02 p.m.  Senate Ajourned until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 12

5:49 p.m. — Roll call vote ends and the Sanders/McCain VA bill, HR 3230 as amended, passed 93-3.

4:38 p.m. — Roll call vote begins on passage of HR 3230 as amended with text of  S.2450, Sanders/McCain VA bill.

4:37 p.m. — Roll call vote ends, motion to waive  agreed to 75-19.  Senators Barrasso, Blunt, Coats, Coburn, Corker, Crapo, Cruz, Enzi, Flake, Johnson (WI), Lee, Paul, Portman, Risch, Roberts, Sessions, Shelby, Thune, and Wicker voted NO.  Senators Cochran, Graham, McCaskill, Merkley, Moran, and Scott missed the vote.

4:05 p.m. — Roll call vote begins on the motion to waive the budget point of order with respect to HR 3230/vehicle for S.2450, Sanders/McCain VA bill.

3:51 p.m. — Senators McCain, Sanders and Coburn spoke on the VA bill and the budget point of order.

3:49 p.m. — Senator Sanders offered a motion to waive the budget point of order.

3:30 p.m. — Senators Boozman, Murray, Vitter, and Sessions spoke on the pending VA bill, Senator Sessions raised a budget point of order against the bill.

3:17 p.m. — Senator Durbin responded to Sen Cornyn on immigration.

3:00 p.m. — Senator Cornyn spoke on immigration.

2:46 p.m. — Senator Coats spoke on the VA bill.

2:28 p.m. — Senator Hatch spoke on union employees being paid with taxpayer money to do union work.

2:16 p.m. — Senator Cantwell spoke on student loans.

2:08 p.m. — Senator Wyden spoke on the VA bill.

1:59 p.m. — Senator Booker spoke on student loans and the truck accident in New Jersey over the weekend.

1:38 p.m. — Senator Coons spoke on global warming.

1:20 p.m. — Senators McCain and Sanders engage in a colloquy on agreement to take up this bill and bring it to a vote this afternoon.

1:17 p.m. — ML Reid offers UC to take up Sanders/McCain VA bill until 4:00pm.   Possible budget point of order in order, no amendments in order.  One or two votes at 4:00pm, first on the possible budget point of order, followed by vote on passage of bill if budget point of order fails.

12:50 p.m. — Senator Rubio spoke about student debt and VA scandal.

12:40 p.m. — Senator Cardin spoke about costliness of higher education and student debt.

12:35 p.m. — Senator Warner spoke about student debt and income based payment.

12:01 p.m. — Senator Schumer spoke about Cantor and immigration reform.

11:16 a.m. — Senator Sanders spoke about the VA scandal.

11:07 a.m. — Senator Barrasso spoke about the Affordable Care Act

10:32 a.m. — S. Con. Res. 37, Authorizing the use of the Rotunda for the  Shimon Perez Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony, was passed by uc.

10:30 a.m. — On a vote of 56 to 38, the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the student loan bill.

9:41 a.m. — Senator Franken spoke for the the motion to proceed.

9:35 a.m. — Senator McConnell spoke against the motion to proceed to the student loan bill.

9:21 a.m. — The Senate resumed debate on the motion to proceed to S. 2432, the student loan bill, with Senator Alexander speaking in opposition.

9:16 a.m. — The majority leader outlined the schedule and spoke on the veterans bill.

***

The Senate will convene at 9:15am and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2432, the student loan bill.

At 10:00am, there will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.2432.

7:25 pm: Senate adjourns until 10:00am, Tuesday June 3rd.

7:23 pm: Senator Warren did wrap-up for the evening.

7:07 pm: Senator Warren spoke on the new carbon rules.

6:39 pm: Senator Boxer turned to discuss the new carbon rules and climate change.

6:19 pm: Senator Boxer discussed the shooting in Isla Vista, California.

6:18 pm: Cloture was invoked on the Harper nomination 51-37. There are up to eight hours of debate.

5:30 pm: Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Keith Harper to be the US Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council, with the rank of Ambassador.

4:27 pm: Senator Cornyn spoke on the new carbon rules.

4:04 pm: Senator Murphy spoke on new carbon rules and the shooting in California.

3:28 pm: Senator Sessions spoke on the new carbon rules.

3:14 pm: Senator Barrasso spoke on the new carbon rules.

2:58 pm: Senator McCain spoke against the Harper nomination.

2:02 pm: The Majority Leader moved to proceed to SR 2363, a bill to promote recreational hunting and fishing. The Majority Leader spoke about the VA scandal.ML Reid then spoke on VA scandal.

The Senate convened at 2 p.m.

The Senate convened for a pro forma at 2:00pm, Senator Jack Reed presiding.

Following the pro forma session, the Senate adjourned until Monday June 2nd at 2:00pm.

On Monday June 2nd, the Senate will be in morning business until 5:30pm.

At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and conduct a cloture vote on the nomination of Keith Parker for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as US Representative to the UN Human Rights Council.

The Senate convened for a pro forma at 12:00pm, Senator Cantwell presiding.

The Senate will next convene for a Pro Forma session on Friday May 30th at 2:00pm.

Following the pro forma session on Friday, the Senate will adjourn until Monday June 2nd at 2:00pm.

On Tuesday June 2nd, the Senate will be in morning business until 5:30pm.

At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and conduct a cloture vote on the nomination of Keith Parker for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as US Representative to the UN Human Rights Council.