Archive from November, 2019

Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019

4:48 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene for a proforma session at 8:00 a.m on Friday, November 7. They will reconvene for regular session at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12 and will resume consideration of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security with a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination to occur at 5:30 p.m.

Passed during wrap up:

  • S. 1388-Supply Chain Counterintelligence Training Act
  • S. 979-FACE Act
  • H.R. 1123- Divisional Realignment for the Eastern District of Arkansas Act of 2019
  • S. Res. 412-National Family Service Learning Week
  • S. Res. 413-National Veterans Small Business Week.
  • S. Res. 414-National Native American Heritage Month

4:31 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the Alaskan of the Week.

3:36 p.m. Senator Peters spoke about prescription drug costs.

3:15 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke about the Violence Against Women Act.

2:54 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about price gouging for insulin.

2:40 p.m. Senator Portman spoke on reforms to retirement plans.

2:36 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on the following:

**Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy and Plans to the Department of Homeland Security.

**Steven Menashi to be a Circuit Court Judge.

2:35 p.m. The Nardini nomination was confirmed 86-2.

Senators Gillibrand and Markey voted against.

1:38 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of William Nardini to be a U.S. circuit court judge for the Second Circuit.

1:24 p.m. Senator Casey spoke on impeachment.

12:58 p.m. Senators Toomey, Cruz and Portman spoke on tax code revisions. Senator Toomey asked UC to take up H.R. 1994 with equal numbers of amendments and a 10 hour time agreement.  Senator Murray objected and offered her own UC to take up and pass HR 1994 without amendments. Senator Toomey objected.

12:57 p.m. The Wilson nomination was confirmed 88-3.

Senators voting against: 3 Democrats: Gillibrand, Hirono and Markey.

Senators not voting: 6 Democrats: Booker, Cardin, Harris, Klobuchar, Warren and Wyden; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Perdue; 1 Independent: Sanders.

12:31 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #365 Jennifer Wilson to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

12:22 p.m. DL Schumer spoke about Syria and ISIS and asked u.c. to call up and pass S 2755, A bill to require a report on the plan to secure the enduring defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Senator Scott of Florida proposed an amendment to modify S. 2755, Senator Schumer objected to the modification. Senator Scott of Florida objected to passing S. 2755.

12:21 p.m. By a tally of 51-41 the Senate confirmed the nomination of Lee Rudofsky to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

11:45 a.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of Lee Rudofsky to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

11:44 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about prescription drug prices.

11:42 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about prescription drug prices.

10:55 a.m. Senator Kaine spoke about veterans.

10:45 a.m. Senator Murray spoke against the several judicial nominations.

10:40 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about defense appropriation.

10:25 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about appropriations and immigration.

10:04 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about nominations. He spoke about the rural economy.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about veterans.

10 a.m. Senator Inhofe delivered the morning prayer.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

At 11:45 a.m., roll call votes will begin on confirmation of the nominations of Lee Rudofsky to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas and of  Jennifer Wilson to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

At 1:45 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination of William Nardini to be a U.S. circuit court judge for the Second Circuit.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

6:36 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday. At 11:45 a.m., roll call votes will begin on confirmation of the nomination of Lee Rudofsky to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas and of  Jennifer Wilson to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. At 1:45 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the  nomination of William Nardini to be a U.S. circuit court judge for the Second Circuit.

6:33 p.m. Senator Sullivan secured consent for passage of S. Res. 396, National Health Literacy Month.

6:20 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the Alaskans of the Week, award-winning math and science teachers Joshua Hall, Jennifer Childress, Don Wilcox and Angie Wright.

5:49 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

5:34 p.m.Senator Inhofe spoke about the defense authorization.

5:26 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke about veterans.

5:16 p.m. Senator Risch objected. He spoke about climate change.

5:09 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about climate change. She asked consent for consideration of S. 1743, to prevent U.S. withdrawal from the Paris agreement.

5:08 p.m. By a vote of 87 to 3, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of William Nardini to be a U.S. circuit judge for the Second Circuit. YEAs: 49 Republicans, 37 Democrats, independent King. NAYs: Democrats Gillibrand, Hirono and Markey. NOT VOTING: Democrats Bennet, Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, Warren; independent King; Republicans Burr, Cassidy, Isakson, Kennedy.

4:41 p.m. The Hunsaker nomination was confirmed 73-17.  YEAs: 49 Republicans, 23 Democrats (Baldwin, Brown Carper, Casey, Coons, Cortez Masto, Feinstein, Hassan, Jones, Kaine, Leahy, Manchin, Murphy, Peters, Rosen, Shaheen, Sinema, Smith, Tester, Van Hollen, Warner, Whitehouse, Wyden) and independent King. NAYs: All Democrats. NOT VOTING: Democrats Bennet, Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, Warren; independent King; Republicans Burr, Cassidy, Isakson, Kennedy.

4:00 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of Danielle Hunsaker to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.

3:51 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke about veterans. He spoke about the defense authorization.

3:49 p.m. Senator Casey added some items to the record.

3:46 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about nominations to the U.S. Circuit Courts.

3:15 p.m. Senator Casey spoke about Lt. Col. Vindeman’s testimony during the House impeachment inquiry. He spoke about climate change.

3:13 p.m. Senator Hirono objected.

3:02 p.m. Senator Paul objected. He spoke about whistleblowers. He asked that Senator Hirono modify her request in order to bring up his whistleblower bill, S. 2798.

2:57 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke about the whistle blower and the impeachment inquiry. She sought consent for consideration of S.Res. 408.

2:52 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the whistle blower and the impeachment inquiry.

2:44 p.m. Senator Roberts spoke about Veteran’s Day.

2:41 p.m. Senator Daines spoke about Veteran’s Day.

2:36 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about Veteran’s Day.

2:29 p.m. Senator Hoeven spoke about Veteran’s Day.

2:20 p.m. Senator Capito spoke about Veteran’s Day.

2:11 p.m. Senator Young spoke about Veterans and Veteran’s Day.

2:02 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about Veteran’s Day.

1:55 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke on veterans benefits.

1:08 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on tax cuts.

1:08 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Wilson nomination, 89-3.

Senators voting against: Gillibrand, Hirono and Markey.

Senators not voting: 5 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Burr and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

12:37 p.m. The Senate began a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #365, Jennifer Wilson to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

12:36 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Rudofsky nomination by a party line vote, 51-41.

Senators not voting: 5 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Burr and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

11:58 a.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Lee Rudofsky to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

11:41 a.m. Senator Cotton spoke about the anniversary of the Iran hostage crisis and supporting the Global Hostage act. Senator Cotton also spoke supporting the Rudofsky nomination.

11:31 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the Dream Act.

11:22 a.m. Senators Grassley and Durbin spoke about prescription drug pricing.

11:10 a.m. Senator Tillis spoke about sanctuary city policies being implemented in different states and cities. Senator Tillis asked u.c. to call up and pass S. 2059, Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act. Senator Durbin objected.

10:53 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration. Senator Durbin asked u.c. to call up and pass S. 2603, RELIEF act. Senator Tillis objected.

10:43 a.m. Dem Leader Schumer spoke about the impeachment inquiry, whistleblower protections, and judges.

10:23 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about Sioux Falls’ first 5G small cells.

10:09 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about nominations, defense funding, and regulation of speech on media platforms.

H.R. 4842 was placed on the calendar under Rule 14.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the Prescription Drug Reduction Act.

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

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #463, Danielle Hunsaker to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, post-cloture.

12:00 p.m., 2 roll call votes:

  1. Cloture on Executive Calendar #458, Lee Rudofsky to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas
  2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #365, Jennifer Wilson to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

4:00 p.m., if cloture is invoked, 2 roll call votes:

  1. Confirmation of Danielle Hunsaker to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit
  2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #464, William Nardini to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit

If cloture is invoked on the above nominations, their confirmation votes will be on Thursday.

 

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

6:02 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2019. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Danielle Hunsaker, of Oregon, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, post-cloture.

Wednesday November 6 at 12:00 pm, 2 roll call votes:

  • Motion to Invoke Cloture on Executive Calendar #458, Lee Rudofsky, of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas
  • Motion to Invoke Cloture on Executive Calendar #365, Jennifer Wilson, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Wednesday November 6, at 4:00 pm, if cloture is invoked, 2 roll call votes:

  • Confirmation of Executive Calendar #463, Danielle Hunsaker, of Oregon, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit
  • Motion to Invoke Cloture on Executive Calendar #464, William Nardini, of Connecticut, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit

If cloture is invoked on the above nominations, their confirmation votes will be on Thursday.

5:58 p.m. ML McConnell began wrap up and adopted S.Res.407, Congratulating the Washington Nationals on winning the 2019 Major League Baseball World Series; passed H.R.724, Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act; began the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business H.R.4842, to authorize the Secretary of State to provide funds for a United States pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

5:30 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on giving thanks to our Veterans.

5:20 p.m. The Senate voted 75-18 to invoke Cloture on Executive Calendar #463, Danielle Hunsaker to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.

4:45 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Tapp nomination by a roll call vote of 85-8.

4:40 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on healthcare in rural areas.

4:30 p.m. Senator Cramer spoke on immigration.

4:20 p.m. Senator Lee paid tribute to General Burton of Utah.

4:10 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke on worker pensions for coal miners.

3:54 p.m. Senator Roberts on the USMCA trade bill.

3:35 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on global poverty.

3:25 p.m. Senator Jones spoke on the national peanut festival and later on the need to fund historically black Colleges and Universities.

3:08 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on rural health and the pharmaceutical industry.

2:48 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about reducing drug prices.

2:47 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Tapp nomination by a vote of 83-9.

Senators voting against: 9 Democrats: Gillibrand, Harris, Hirono, Markey, Menendez, Merkley, Schatz, Schumer and Stabenow.

Senators not voting: 4 Republicans: Burr, Isakson, Risch and Sasse; 3 Democrats: Booker, Klobuchar and Warren;  1 Independent: Sanders.

2:16 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of David Tapp to be a Judge for the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

11:56 a.m. Senator Menendez spoke about Turkey.

11:44 a.m. DL Schumer spoke about the Impeachment inquiry.

11:20 a.m. Senator Romney paid tribute to Maj. General Jeff Burton.

11:12 a.m. Senator Alexander spoke about permanent funding for HBCU’s and asked u.c. call up and pass S. 2557, Student Aid Improvement Act. Senator Cardin objected.

11:03 a.m. Senator Cardin spoke about education funds and asked u.c. to pass H.R. 2486, the FUTURE act. Senator Alexander objected.

10:50 a.m. Senator Ernst spoke about violence against women and about military spending.

10:40 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about violence against women.

10:25 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about military spending. He spoke about data-mining..

10:04 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about nominations. He noted the anniversary of the revolution in Iran. He spoke about the economy and about Democratic priorities.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about veterans and small businesses.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #355, David Tapp to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for the Republican caucus meeting.

2:15 p.m. – 1 vote: 

1. Cloture on nomination of David Tapp to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims.

Approximately 5:30 p.m. – 2 votes:

1. Confirmation of Tapp nomination.

2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #463, Danielle Hunsaker to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.

 

Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations:

1. Executive Calendar #464 – William Nardini to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit

2. Executive Calendar #458 – Lee Rudofsky to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas

3. Executive Calendar #365 – Jennifer Wilson to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

 

Monday, November 4, 2019

1:00 p.m. Senator Grassley presided over the pro forma session. No business was conducted.

 

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