The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 4:00 p.m., Senator Grassley presided. ML McConnell asked u.c. that all uniformed military promotions pending in the Senate will remain in status quo, with the exception of PN765 (Paul Stader), PN540 (Dori Baker), PN475 (David Hayworth). These are in addition to the nominations that were ordered to remain in status quo pursuant to the December 21, 2017 order. To clarify the December 21, 2017 order, PN 1193(Michael Griffin) was returned to the President and PN 1316 (Michael Griffin) remains in status quo.

The Senate adjourned at 4:03 p.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

6:35 p.m. The Senate adjourns until 11:00 a.m. Thursday January 4th.

In wrap-up, the Senate passes S. 925 by UC; and H.R. 4667 has its first reading.

6:29 p.m. ML McConnell calls up and files cloture on the following nominations:
William Campbell to be US District Judge for the Middle district of Tennessee.
Thomas Parker to be US District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee.
Michael Brown to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia.
Walter Counts to be US District Judge for the Western District of Texas.

6:28 p.m. ML McConnell announces no further votes this week.

6:09 p.m. The nomination of John Rood to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy was confirmed 81-7.

Senators voting against: 6 Democrats: Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, Markey, Warren and Wyden; 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: Alexander, Burr, Hatch, Heller, McCain, Merkley, Moran, Murkowski, Perdue, Risch, Rubio and Scott.

5:28 p.m. Roll call vote began on the nomination of John Rood to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

5:22 p.m. Senator Gardner spoke about the Dec. 31st shooting in Colorado.

5:04 p.m. Senator Warren spoke about the Rood nomination.

4:40 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about climate change.

4:17 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

3:56 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about DACA.

2:07 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the tax overhaul.

1:22 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about the oil rig blow-out in the Gulf of Mexico.

12:50 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about net neutrality.

12:38 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the move from 52-48 to 51-49 in the Senate; and the agenda of the coming year.

12:22 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer welcomed Senators Jones and Smith; and then discussed the agenda for the coming year, and the nature of our foreign policy and President Trump. Achieves UC that the resignation letter for Senator Franken be printed in the record.

12:16 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell welcomed Senators Jones and Smith, and then discussed the agenda for the coming year, the situation in Iran, and the announcement by Senator Hatch of his retirement at the end of the year.
S. 2274 has its second reading.

12:03 p.m. Vice President Pence administered the oath of office to Senators Jones and Smith.

• The Senate convened at 12:00 p.m. to begin the second session of the 115th Congress.

• Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 5:00 p.m.

• At 5:00 p.m., the Senate will consideration of the nomination of John Rood to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

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

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 11:30 a.m. Senator Tillis presided, and no business was conducted.

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 10:00 a.m. Senator Cotton presided, and no business was conducted.

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 11:00 a.m., with Senator Strange presiding. No business was conducted.

10:02 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene for pro forma sessions on the following days:

• Saturday 12/23 11:00 a.m.
• Wednesday 12/27 10:00 a.m.
• Friday 12/29 11:30 a.m.
• Tuesday 1/2 4:00 p.m.

The Senate will reconvene for legislative business on Wednesday, January 3 at noon and  Senator-elect Jones and Senate-appointee Smith will be sworn in. They will then be in morning business until 5:00 p.m. They will then begin  consideration of John C. Rood to be Undersecretary of Defense for Policy.

In Executive Session, the Senate confirmed the following nomination by voice vote:

• Executive Calendar #311, Robert P. Storch of the District of Columbia to be Inspector General of the National Security Agency.
• Executive Calendar #456, Securities and Exchange Commission, Hester Maria Peirce of Ohio to be a member.
• Executive Calendar #457, Securities and Exchange Commission, Robert J. Jackson, Jr., of New York to be a member.
• Executive Calendar #545, Timothy Petty of Indiana to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior.
• Executive Calendar #546, Linda Capuano of Texas to be Administrator of the Energy Information Administration. Department of Energy
• Executive Calendar #576, Department of Energy John G. Vonglis to be Chief Financial Officer.
• Executive Calendar #578, Irving Dennis of Ohio to be Chief Financial Officer, HUD
• Executive Calendar #503, Susan Israel Tufts to be an Assistant Secretary, HUD
• Executive Calendar #577, Leonard Wolfson to be an Assistant Secretary, HUD
• Executive Calendar #299, Robert Charrow to be General Counsel of HHS
• Executive Calendar #PN 1286 Tadd Johnson to be Member of the Board of Trustees, Morris K Udall Foundation
• PN 1287 Lisa Johnson-Billy to be Member of the Board of Trustees, Morris K Udall Foundation
• PN 1288 Lisa Johnson-Billy to be Member of the Board of Trustees, Morris K Udall Foundation (reappointment)
• PN 1035, Tennessee Valley Authority, Kenneth Allen to be a member of the board
• PN 1036, Tennessee Valley Authority, A. Frazier to be a member of the board
• PN 1037, Tennessee Valley Authority, Dennis Smith to be a member of the board
• PN 1038, Tennessee Valley Authority, James Thompson to be a member of the board
• PN 1172.
• Executive Calendar #502,  Katherine Brunett McGuire to be Assistant Secretary of Labor
• Executive Calendar #554, Kate O’Scannlain to be Solicitor for the Department of Labor
• Executive Calendar #556, Preston Rutledge to be Assistant Secretary of Labor
• Executive Calendar #559, John Collett to be Assistant Secretary for Special Education, Education Department
• PN 1196, Douglas Webster to be CFO, Department of Education
• PN 1109 Jon Rychalski, CFO, VA Department

The Senate proceeded with a Legislative Session.

• S 1447, A bill to reauthorize the diesel emissions reduction program and for other purposes. Agreed to by UC.
• S 1208, A bill to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide for an option under the secure mail initiative, and so forth and for other purposes. Agreed to by UC.
• H.R. 195, An act to amend Title 44, US Code. Agreed to by UC.
• S 2070, A bill to amend the violent crime, control, and law enforcement act of 1994, and so forth. Agreed to by voice vote.
• S Res. 139, Iran. Agreed to by UC.
• S 2030, A bill to deem the compliance date for amended energy conservation standards and so forth and for other purposes. Agreed to by UC.
• S 2273, a bill to extend the period during which vessels that are shorter than 79 feet in length and so forth. Agreed to by UC.
• S Res. 336, recognizing the seriousness of cystic ovary syndrome and so forth. Agreed to by UC.
• S Res. 364, congratulating the University of Central Missouri’s women’s soccer team and so forth. Agreed to by UC.
• S Res. 327, National Carbon Monoxide Poisoning awareness week. Agreed to by UC.
• HR 2142, an act to improve the ability of the US customs and border protection to interdict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids and so forth and for other purposes. Agreed to by UC.
• HR 2228, an act to provide support for law enforcement agency efforts and so forth and for other purposes. Agreed to by UC.
• HR 2331, an act to require a new or updated federal website and so forth and for other purposes. Agreed to by UC
• HR 4661, an act to authorize the US Fire Administration and so forth and for other purposes. Agreed to by UC.
• S 2274, a bill to provide for the compensation of federal employees affected by lapses in appropriations. First reading.

7:39 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about the tax overhaul.

7:37 p.m. By consent the Senate passed a resolution, S.Res. 365, to recognize the national championship volleayball team of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

7:32 p.m.   Senators Sasse and Fischer spoke about Nebraska’s championship volleyball team.

7:25 p.m. Senator Coons spoke about the budget process.

7:20 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about hurricane relief.

7:15  p.m.   By a vote of  66 to 32, the Senate passed the resolution to continue federal spending through January 19, 2017.  YEAS: 48 Republicans, 17 Democrats, 1 independent (King). NAYS: 29 Democrats, independent Sanders and Republicans Lee and Paul.  DEMOCRATIC YEAS: Carper, Coons, Donnelly, Hassan, Heinrich, Heitkamp, Kaine, Leahy, Manchin, McCaskill, Nelson, Peters, Shaheen, Stabenow, Tester, Udall, Warner.    NOT VOTING: Isakson, McCain.

6:50 p.m. Senate is voting on passage of the resolution to continue federal spending through January 19, 2017.

6:48 p.m. By a vote of 91 to 8, the Senate waived the Paul point of order on the continuing resolution.  NAYS: Crapo, Cruz, Flake, Kennedy, Lee, Paul, Risch, Sasse. NOT VOTING: McCain.

6:25 p.m. The Senate is voting on the motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Paul point of order.

6:19 p.m. Senator Paul raised a point of order that the House message to accompany H.R. 1370 (Short term CR) violates the Budget Act.   Senator Collins made a motion to waive the Budget Act.

5:58 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about her opposition to the point of order Senator Paul will offer.

5:51 p.m. Senator Paul spoke about PAYGO.

5:37 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about Russia and the 2016 election.

5: 32 p.m. Senator Flake spoke about the tax overhaul.

5:27 p.m. Senator Donnelly spoke about the opioid epidemic.

5:23 p.m. Senator Thune sought consent to bring up the Batori nomination. Senator Schumer objected.

5:18 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about the Batori nomination for Federal Railroad Administrator.

5:07 p.m. Senator Reed spoke about the tax bill.

4:39 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about military foreign policy.

4:02 p.m. Senators Murray, Warren, Kaine, and Klobuchar talked about immigration.

3:12 p.m. Senators Bennett, Durbin, Cardin and Whitehouse spoke about immigration and DACA.

3:00 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about nominations.

2:44 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke about the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

2:31 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about tax reform.

2:16 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about the opioid crisis.

2:02 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about the Russia investigation.

1:45 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about special counsel Robert Mueller.

1:22 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the POWER Act.

1:10 p.m. Senator Scott spoke about the tax bill.

12:57 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about VA benefits.

12:50 p.m. Senator Capito spoke about the tax bill.

12:40 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about the accomplishments of the year.

12:09 p.m. Senators Klobuchar, Durbin and Merkley spoke about Senator Franken and his accomplishments.

11:32 a.m. Senator Franken gave his final Senate remarks.

11:15 a.m. Senators Isakson and Tester spoke about veterans affairs.

10:54 a.m. Senator Casey spoke on national security.

10:42 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the CR, tax reform, Mueller and the Senate’s policy accomplishments.

10:37 a.m. Senator Casey spoke about national security.

10:26 a.m. Senator Hatch spoke about policy in 2017.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about tax reform, the CR, and paid tribute to Senator Strange.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business.

6:05 p.m. The Senate has adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 20^th.

At a time to be determined on January 3^rd, the Senate will proceed to the nomination of John C. Rood to be Under Secretary  of Defense with 30 minutes of debate.

During wrap-up the following was confirmed by voice vote:

1. Bruce D. Jette to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army
2. James E. McPherson, to be General Counsel of the Department of the Army
3. Randall G. Shriver to be an Assistnat Secretary of Defense
4. Thomas Harker to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy
5. John P. Roth to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force
6. Duane A. Kees to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas
7. Stephen R. McAllister to be United States Attorney for the District of Kansas
8. Ronald A. Parsons, Jr. to be United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota
9. Ryan K. Patrick to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
10. Michael B. Stuart to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia

By unanimous consent:

1. Confirmed executive calendar numbers 560 to 569 and all the nominations placed on the Secretary’s Desk
2. 117, Alex Diekmann Peak Designation Act of 2017
3. 501, East Rosebud Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

****

5:19 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke about the tax bill.

4:47 p.m. Senator Franken spoke on media consolidation.

4:30 p.m. Senator Warner spoke on the Mueller investigation.

4:12 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about human rights, Sergei Magnitsky and the Magnitsky Act.  He later talked about the situation in Venezuela.

4:00 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on climate change.

3:45 p.m. Senator Gardner spoke about the recently passed tax plan.

3:20 p.m. Senator Isakson paid tribute to a friend who is retiring from his job as a lobbyist for the Southern Company.

3:08 p.m. Senator Gillibrand spoke about DACA.

2:46 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke about veterans health care.

2:31 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about DACA.

2:21 p.m. Senator Duckworth spoke about refugees.

1:30 p.m. Senator Franken spoke about his time in the Senate.

12:47 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke about tax reform and energy development.

12:25 p.m. Senator Casey spoke about the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

11:54 a.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke about the tax bill.

11:30 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the tax bill.

11:04 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the tax bill. He spoke about the federal spending resolution. The Senate consented it the passage of S. Res. 150, on freedom of the press; S. Res. 326, recognizing the crew of the San Antonio Rose; and Se. Res. 345, designating Aug. 3, 2018 as Ernie Pyle Day.

* * * * *

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m. and will proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each.

12:53 a.m. The Senate adjourned until 11:00 a.m.

12:51 a.m. ML McConnell asked u.c. to proceed to S.Con.Res. 31, concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Bob Dole, agreed to by u.c. ML McConnell asked u.c. that when the Senate adjourn today it meets at 11:00 a.m.

12:46 a.m. Senator Enzi asked that the Senate be in a period of morning business.

12:45 a.m. AGREED TO: 51-48 Motion to concur in H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, with a further amendment (Senate Passage of H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) Senator McCain did not vote.

12:35 a.m. Protesters chanting “kill the bill” were removed from the gallery. Vice President Pence requested the Sergeant at Arms restore order.

12:30 a.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to concur in H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, with a further amendment (Senate Passage of H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act)

12:29 a.m. The motion to waive was not agreed to by a vote of 51-48 (60-vote threshold). Senator McCain did not vote.

11:33 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke supporting the tax conference report.

11:26 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke against the tax conference report.

11:22 p.m. Senator Peters spoke about the deficit in relation to the tax conference report.

11:13 p.m. Senator Merkley likened the tax bill to a bank heist.

11:03 p.m. Senator Scott spoke supporting the tax conference report.

10:57 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke about Democrats dragging out debate on the conference report. Senator Brown objected to Senator Hatch inserting JCT materials into the record.

10:38 p.m. Senator Carper spoke against the tax conference report.

10:20 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke supporting the tax conference report and ANWR.

9:59 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke against the tax conference report.

9:41 p.m. Senator Perdue spoke supporting the tax conference report.

9:21 p.m. Senators Warren and Durbin spoke against the tax conference report.

9:15 p.m. Senator Young is is debating the conference report to accompany H.R. 1.

9:00 p.m.  Senator Whitehouse is discussing the Enzi motion to waive.  It is expected that the vote on the motion to waive will occur just prior to the vote on adoption of the conference report, which could occur around 11:00pm.  The motion to waive is subject to a 60-vote threshold.  If the motion is not agreed to, the Senate would then vote on adoption of the conference report without the offending provisions.

8:30 p.m.   Conference report to accompany an act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018 [Republican tax bill] (H.R. 1)

The Senate is  debating the conference report to accompany H.R. 1. Senator Sanders raised the following points of order against the conference report, which Senator Enzi then moved to waive:

• That Subsection 11000(a) violates section 313(b)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
• That Subparagraph (B) of Section 11032, starting on page 75, line 17 and all through page 76, line 9, violates section 313(b)(1)(D) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 And that the phrase “tuition-paying” as it appears on page 309, line 12, and page 309, lines 14 through 15, violates section 313(b)(1)(D) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

6:18 p.m. Senators Reed, Heller, Donnelly, Grassley, Udall, Tester, Schatz, Toomey, Brown, and Portman spoke about the tax bill.

6:04 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke supporting the Conference Report and ANWR.

6:02 p.m. Senator Sanders raised points of order against the Conference report. Senator Enzi moved to waive all applicable sections of that Act and applicable budget resolutions for the purposes of the Conference Report and the waiver is debatable for 1 hour.

5:40 p.m. Senator Sanders and Wyden spoke against the tax bill.

5:19 p.m. Senators Thune and Daines spoke about tax reform.

4:50 p.m. Senators Cantwell and Markey spoke about the tax bill.

4:22 p.m. Senators Hatch and Isakson spoke about the tax bill.

4:00 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about the tax bill.

3:47 p.m. Senator Enzi spoke about the tax bill.

3:45 p.m. The Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 1 (tax bill) by a vote of 51 to 48. There are now 10 hours of debate.

3:07 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to proceed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 1, the tax bill.

2:48 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke on DACA.

2:33 p.m. Senator Inhofe paid tribute to Doug Coe.

2:15 p.m. Senators Kaine and Inhofe spoke about the tax bill.

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

12:54 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m. to accommodate the weekly caucus luncheons.

12:51 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke on Puerto Rico.

12:50 p.m. The Newstead nomination was confirmed 88-11.

Senators voting against: 9 Democrats: Franken, Gillibrand, Harris, Heinrich, Markey, Merkley, Schatz, Warren and Wyden; 1 Republican:Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: McCain

12:08 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the nomination of Jennifer Newstead to be Legal Advisor to the Department of State.

11:58 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about pending legislation that needs to be completed by the end of the year and the Mueller investigation.

11:50 a.m. Senator Boozman spoke about the commissioning of the new U.S.S. Little Rock.

11:38 a.m. Senator Murphy spoke about the meaning of Christmas related to the Senate and helping the uninsured and undocumented.

11:14 a.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke against the tax bill and about the train derailment in Washington.

11:03 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke for the tax bill.

10:38 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration.

10:20 a.m. The Senate entered a period of Morning Business. Senator Cornyn spoke in support of legislation to support the military. He spoke in favor of the tax bill.

10:04 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell moved to proceed to S.1519, the defense authorization for fiscal year 2018.

Senator McConnell said the Senate will vote tonight on the tax bill. He spoke in favor of the tax bill.

* * * * *

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m., and following any leader remarks will be in a period of morning business until 12:00 p.m.

At 12:00 p.m, consider the nomination of Jennifer Newstead to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State for ten minutes followed by a vote on the nomination.

Following the vote on the Newstead nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m.

7:34 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday December 19, 2017.

7:32 p.m. ML McConnell wraps up for the evening, morning business from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. At 12:00 p.m, consider the nomination of Jennifer Newstead to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State; for ten minutes followed by a vote on the nomination. Following the vote, recess until 2:15 p.m.

7:17 p.m. Senator Casey spoke about DACA.

6:51 p.m. Senator Bennet spoke against the tax bill.

6:30 p.m. The West vote was confirmed by a vote of 74 to 23.

Senators voting in favor: 51 Republicans, 22 Democrats (Bennet, Blumenthal, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Coons, Donnelly, Feinstein, Hassan, Heinrich, Heitkamp, Kaine, Manchin, McCaskill, Murphy, Nelson, Reed, Shaheen, Tester, Udall, Warner and Whitehouse) 1 Independent (King).

Senators voting against: 22 Democrats, 1 Independent (Sanders).

Senators not voting: 2 Democrats (Baldwin and Duckworth), 1 Republican (McCain).

6:04 p.m. Roll call vote began on the confirmation of Owen West to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

6:03 p.m. The Compton vote was confirmed by a tally of 62-34.

Senators voting in favor: 50 Republicans, 11 Democrats (Bennet, Carper, Coons, Donnelly, Heitkamp, Manchin, McCaskill, Murphy, Nelson, Shaheen and Tester), 1 Independent (King).

Senators voting against: 33 Democrats, 1 Independent (Sanders).

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans (Capito and McCain), 2 Democrats (Baldwin and Duckworth).

5:30 p.m. Roll Call vote began on the nomination of  Paul Compton to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

5:22 p.m. Senator Crapo spoke in favor of the Compton nomination.

5:18 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about the tax bill.

5:03 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about the tax bill.

4:53 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about the tax bill.

4:18 p.m. Senator C0llins spoke about the tax bill.

4:04 p.m. Senator King spoke about the Senate’s workload and deadlines.

3:40 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about tax reform.

3:21 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the train derailment in Washington state, paid tribute to Bob Wilmers, Robert Mueller, and the CR.

3:02 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the train derailment in Washington state, tax reform, and the CR.

****

The Senate convenes at 3:00 pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and proceed to the consideration of the following nominations: Executive Calendar #241, J. Paul Compton, Jr., of Alabama, to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Executive Calendar #193, Owen West, of Connecticut, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, en bloc with the debate time on the nominations to run concurrently.

At 5:30pm, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the following nominations in the following order:

1. Executive Calendar #241, J. Paul Compton, Jr., of Alabama, to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
2. Executive Calendar #193, Owen West, of Connecticut, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

Please note, at a time and date to be determined the Senate will proceed to 10 minutes of debate followed by a vote on confirmation of Cal. #430 – Jennifer Gillian Newstead, of New York, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State.

5:20 p.m.  The Senate adjourned and will reconvene on Monday, December 18th at 3:00 p.m. The next scheduled votes are on the confirmation of the nominations of J. Paul Compton Jr, AL, to be general counsel of HUD and Owen West, CT, to be Asst Secy of Defense.  During Wrap Up, the Senate also confirmed various executive calendar nominations:

430 – Jennifer G. Newstead, NY, to be legal advisor, Dep of State

405 –Matthew Leopold, FL, Asst Admin, EPA

406 – David Ross, WI, Asst Admin, EPA

499 – Scott Brady, PA, to be US States Atty, Western District of PA

500 – Andrew Lelling, MA, to be US Atty, District of MA

548-551 – Coast Guard appointments

4:30 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on climate change.

4:05 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the Alaskan of the week.

3:33 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke about the tax bill.

2:21 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Ho nomination by a vote of 53 to 43. Senator Lee spoke on net neutrality.

1:45 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the nomination of James Ho to be a U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the 5th Circuit.

1:19 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about the 5th anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy.

1:06 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about the tax bill.

12:58 p.m. Senator Casey spoke about CHIP and DACA.

12:51 p.m. Senator Capito spoke about the tax bill.

12:32 p.m. Senator Flake spoke about NAFTA.

12:32 p.m. Senator Flake announced the vote on the Ho nomination will occur at 1:45 p.m.

11:57 a.m. Senator Reed spoke on the tax bill.

11:43 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on a resolution regarding North Korea and circuit court nominations.

11:06 a.m. Senators Leahy and Warren spoke on circuit court nominations.

10:45 a.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke against repeal of “Net neutrality” rules. He spoke about the Sandy Hook massacre and gun control.

10:30 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke about pending legislation.

10:17 a.m. Senator Moran spoke about the children’s health program.

10:04 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about judicial nominations. He spoke about national defense needs.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume post-cloture consideration of the nomination of James C. Ho to be a U. S. Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

By consent, these nominations will be considered at a time to be determined by leadership:

1. Owen West to be Assistant Secretary of Defense, with a 30 minute time agreement;

2. J. Paul Compton Jr. to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with a 20 minute time agreement.