6:44 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Mark C. Scarsi, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, post-cloture. At 10:30 a.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Scarsi nomination followed by a cloture vote on Stanley Blumenfeld, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings. At 2:15 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Blumenfeld nomination cloture on the Holcomb and Robinson nominations. If cloture is invoked on the Holcomb nomination, then at 5:15 p.m. the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Holcomb nomination.

6:43 During wrap up, ML McConnell called up by u.c. and adopted by voice vote S.Res.690, designating September 2020 as ‘‘National Workforce Development Month’’.

6:42 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Scarsi nomination by a tally of 77-12. Senators not voting: Cassidy, Coons, Cramer, Daines, Harris, Kennedy, Moran, Murray, Sanders, Tillis and Toomey. (7 Republicans, 3 Democrats and 1 Independent)

5:30 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Mark C. Scarsi to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California.

5:00 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on the lack of respect in civil discourse in today’s world.

4:35 p.m. Senator Capito spoke on the broadband data act and legislation to create a single data map.

4:21 p.m. Senator Warner spoke about the horrific images from the fires and also on the need to pass government funding legislation in the next 16 days.

3:51 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about the fires in Oregon.

3:38 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke on race in America.

3:26 p.m. ML McConnell spoke on the Arab-Israel peace deal and on Coronavirus relief efforts.

3:02 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

****

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Mark Scarsi to be a judge for the central district of California.

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

Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations:

• Stanley Blumenfeld to be a District Judge for the Central District of California.
• John Holcomb to be a District Judge for the Central District of California.
• Todd Robinson to be a District Judge for the Southern District of California.
• David Dugan to be a District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois.
• Stephen McGlynn to be a District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois.
• Iain Johnston to be a District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.
• Franklin Valderrama to be a District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.

5:26 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

5:12 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on pandemic related economic relief.

4:53 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell announced the Senate will adjourn until 3:00 p.m. on Monday September 14th following the remarks of Senator Sanders.dem

4:47 p.m. Majority Leader wrapped up for the evening.

Items passed by unanimous consent: 

• S. Res 688, designating September 25th as National Lobster Day.
• H.J Res 87 and 88, reappointing Michael Linton and Franklin Vanes as citizen regents of the board of regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

3:55 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on Covid-19 and for the 270th time, spoke on climate change. 

3:22 p.m. Senator Warner spoke on President Trump’s comments on the military. 

3:05 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke on covid-19 economic relief negotiations. 

2:45 p.m ML McConnell filed cloture on the following:

• Mark Scarsi to be a District Judge for the Central District of California.
• Stanley Blumenfeld to be a District Judge for the Central District of California.
• John Holcomb to be a District Judge for the Central District of California.
• Todd Robinson to be a District Judge for the Southern District of California.
• David Dugan to be a District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois.
• Stephen McGlynn to be a District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois.
• Iain Johnston to be a District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.
• Franklin Valderrama to be a District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.

2:11 p.m. Senator Portman spoke on covid-19 relief.

1:57 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke in support of the Jarbou nomination, and spoke on supporting members of the military and veterans. 

1:31 p.m. Senator Brown spoke on supporting members of the military and veterans.

1:22 p.m. Cloture was not invoked, 52-47.  Senator Paul joined all Democrats and Independents voting against, and Senator Harris was the lone absentee.

12:56 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.178, with a further amendment #2652, the GOP targeted relief package.

12:55 p..m. The Senate confirmed the Gujarati nomination, 99-0.

Senators not voting: 1 Democrat: Harris.

12:26 p.m. Roll call began on confirmation of Diane Gujarati to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

12:26 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Cullen nomination 79 to 19. 

Senators voting in favor: 53 Republicans, 25 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 18 Democrats: Bennet, Blumenthal, Booker, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Heinrich, Hirono, Klobuchar, Markey, Merkley, Murray, Schatz, Schumer, Smith, Stabenow, Udall and Wyden; 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: 2 Democrats: Harris and Warren.

12:02 p.m. Roll call began on confirmation of Thomas Cullen to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of VA.

12:02 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Jarbou nomination 83 to 15. 

Senators voting in favor: 53 Republicans, 29 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 14 Democrats: Blumenthal, Booker, Brown, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Klobuchar, Markey, Menendez ,Merkley, Murray, Schatz, Schumer, Van Hollen and Wyden; 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: 2 Democrats: Harris and Warren.

11:27 a.m. Roll call began on confirmation of Hala Jarbou to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of MI .

11:10 a.m. Senator Murkowski spoke about the relief package.

11:03 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the relief package. 

10:45 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the relief package. He spoke about the president’s reported criticism of the U.S. military.

10:35 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the relief package.

10:05 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the September 11 attacks. He spoke about the coronavirus relief package.

10:03 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the coronavirus relief package.

***

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will vote on the following nominations at 11:30 a.m.:

1. Confirmation of Cal. #811 Hala Jarbou to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of MI

2. Confirmation of Cal. #646 Thomas Cullen to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of VA

3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #358 Diane Gujarati to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

4. Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.178, with a further amendment #2652, the Targeted Relief Package.

7:41 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10. The Senate will vote on the following nominations at 11:30 a.m.:

1. Confirmation of Cal. #811 Jarbou to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of MI

2. Confirmation of Cal. #646 Cullen to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of VA

3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #358 Diane Gujarati to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

4. Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.178, with a further amendment #2652, the Targeted Relief Package.

7:11 p.m. Senator Gardner spoke about the Covid-19 bill.

6:50 p.m. Senator Barasso spoke about the Covid-19 bill.

5:34 p.m. Senators Durbin, Whitehouse, Carper, Cortez Masto, Blumenthal, Kaine, Tester, Jones, Reed, Klobuchar, Hassan and Menendez spoke in support of Senator Duckworth’s resolution.

5:23 p.m. Senator Loeffler spoke in defense of President Trump and offered a resolution recognizing President Trump’s support of troops. Senator Duckworth objected.

5:08 p.m. Senator Schumer and Senator Duckworth spoke about the news article that said President Trump disparaged members of the armed forces. Senator Duckworth offered a resolution honoring troops and condemning President Trump’s remarks. Senator Loeffler objected.

4:59 p.m. Senator Hawley spoke about lawlessness.

4:41 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about a vaccine for Covid-19.

4:21 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about the new Covid-19 bill.

4:20 The motion to invoke cloture on the Gujarati nomination was agreed to by a vote of 94-2. Voting no: Van Hollen and Markey.

3:46 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #358, Diane Gujarati, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

3:44 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Thomas T. Cullen to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Virginia by a tally of 77-18.

3:03 p.m. By a tally of 82-14 the Senate confirmed Christy Criswell Wiegand to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from recess and began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Christy Wiegand to be a Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

1:10 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m. to accommodate the weekly caucus lunches.

1:09 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Jarbou nomination by a tally of 80-15.

12:40 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #811 Hala Jarbou to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Michigan.

12:39 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Wiegand nomination by a tally of 80-16.

12:02 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #772 Christy Criswell Wiegand to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

12:00 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Ludwig nomination by a tally of 91-5. Senators Hirono, Markey, Schatz, Warren, and Wyden voted against the nomination.

11:19 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Brett Ludwig to be a Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

11:10 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the effects of the pandemic on the Texas economy.

10:50 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the Republican COVID funding proposal.

10:38 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the need for additional COVID funding.

10:25 a.m. DL Schumer spoke about COVID funding and the new GOP proposal.

10:04 a.m. ML McConnell spoke on COVID funding negotiations and on horse racing integrity and safety legislation.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about his work on behalf of Iowans.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 am and resume consideration of nomination of Brett Ludwig to be a Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, post-cloture.

At 11:15 am, all post cloture debate time on the Ludwig nomination will be considered expired, and the Senate will proceed to 3 roll call votes relative to the following:

• Confirmation of the nomination of Brett Ludwig to be a Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
• Cloture on the nomination of Christy Wiegand to be a Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
• Cloture on the nomination of Hala Jarbou to be a Judge for the Western District of Michigan.

Following the Jarbou cloture vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15 pm for the weekly caucus luncheons.

At 2:15 pm, if cloture is invoked, all post-cloture debate time on the Wiegand nomination will be expired and the Senate will proceed to 3 roll call votes relative to the following:

• Confirmation of the nomination of Christy Wiegand to be a Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
• Cloture on the nomination of Thomas Cullen to be a Judge for the Western District of Virginia.
• Cloture on the nomination of Diane Guajarati to be a Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

6:28 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will next convene on Wednesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Following leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the Ludwig nomination.

At 11:15 a.m. there will be 3 votes:

1. Confirmation of Brett Ludwig to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

2. Cloture on Christy Wiegand to be US District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania.   

3. Cloture on Hala Jarbou to be US District Judge for the Western District of Michigan.

If cloture is invoked on the Jarbou, confirmation time is TBD.

The Senate will recess for weekly caucus lunches following the cloture vote on the Jarbou nomination.

At 2:15 p.m. there will be 3 votes:

1. Confirmation of the Wiegand nomination.

2. Cloture on Thomas Cullen to be US District Judge for the Western District of Virginia.

3. Cloture on Diane Gujarati to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

****

6:26 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Brett Ludwig to be a judge for the eastern district of Wisconsin, 83-6.

Voting against: Hirono, Markey, Schatz, Van Hollen, Warren and Wyden.

5:30 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Brett Ludwig to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

5:01 p.m. Senator Johnson spoke in favor of the Ludwig nomination.

4:27 p.m. Dem Leader Schumer spoke on corona virus relief and the U.S. Post Office.

4:06 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about corona virus relief.

4:03 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell withdrew the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 178 with amendment #2499. Then he filed cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 178, with a further amendment #2652 (Targeted Relief Package).

3:48 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke about inter-country adoptions.

3:31 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about coronavirus relief.

3:04 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about coronavirus relief. He said the Senate will vote this week on the Republican proposal. The following legislation was placed on the calendar under the Rule IVX Process:

• H.R. 3, Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act.
• H.R. 51, Washington, D.C. Admission Act.
• H.R. 1425, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act.

3:02 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about his August town meetings in Iowa.

***

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

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Brett Ludwig to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin; with a cloture vote on the nomination at 5:30 p.m.

Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations:

1.Christy Wiegand to be US District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

2. Hala Jarbou to be US District Judge for the Western District of Michigan.

3. Thomas Cullen to be US District Judge for the Western District of Virginia.

4. Diane Gujarati to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

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

The Senate convened at 7:00 a.m. for a pro forma session only, Senator Barrasso presiding. No business was conducted.