2:30 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the Gupta nomination.

2:28 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke in support of the Gupta nomination.

2:22 p.m. Senator Marshall spoke about the infrastructure bill.

2:17 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about the infrastructure bill.

2:12 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the infrastructure bill.

2:08 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about the infrastructure bill.

2:03 p.m. Senator Cramer spoke about the infrastructure bill.

1:58 p.m. Senator Lummis spoke about the infrastructure bill.

1:49 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about the infrastructure bill.

1:42 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke about the infrastructure bill.

1:13 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke in support of the Gupta nomination.

1:01 p.m. Senator Booker spoke in support of the Gupta nomination.

12:41 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke in support of the Gupta nomination.

12:22 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke against the Gupta nomination.

12:20 p.m. By a vote of 51-49, cloture was invoked on the nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General.

11:35 a.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General.

11:29 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the voting rights bill.

11:15 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the Gupta nomination.

11:06 a.m. Senator McConnell spoke about the infrastructure bill and also about the Gupta nomination.

10:50 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the Chauvin verdict and also spoke about systemic bias in our society.

10:49 a.m. Passed by UC. Adm. John C. Aquilino to be Admiral.

10:30 a.m. The Senate convened.

The Senate will convene at 10:30am. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of the nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General. At 11:30am, the cloture motion on the Gupta nomination will ripen and the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Gupta nomination.

If cloture is invoked, there will be up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate time followed by a roll call vote on confirmation of the Gupta nomination.

Upon disposition of the Gupta nomination, it is expected Senator Schumer will move to discharge the Senate Armed Services Committee from consideration of the nomination of Colin Kahl to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. There will then be up to 4 hours of debate followed by a roll call vote on the motion to discharge the Kahl nomination from the Armed Services Committee.

7:12 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Under regular order, on Wednesday, April 21st at approximately 11:30 a.m., the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Exec. Calendar #62, Vanita Gupta, of Virginia, to be Associate Attorney General. (If cloture is invoked) Under the regular order, two hours after the close of the cloture vote, at approximately 2:15 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation on the Gupta nomination.

7:10 p.m. ML Schumer filed cloture on:

• Hirono/Collins amendment #1445 to Cal. #13, S.937, COVID-19 Hate Crimes. AND on the underlying bill, Cal. #13, S.937, COVID-19 Hate Crimes.

6:52 p.m. Senator Bennet spoke on the Gupta nomination.

6:44 p.m. Senator Daines spoke about Montana’s voting laws.

6:25 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about the Chinese military.

6:24 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Lisa Monaco to be Deputy Attorney General 98-2, with Senators Cruz and Paul voting against.

5:42 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of Lisa Monaco to be Deputy Attorney General.

5:41 p.m. The Gensler nomination was confirmed, 54-45. All Democrats and Independents were joined by the following Republicans in favor: Collins, Grassley, Lummis and Rounds. Senator Burr voted present.

5:00 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the Gensler nomination.

4:12 p.m. Senators Hirono, Duckworth, Durbin, Cantwell and Stabenow spoke on the Gupta nomination.

4:00 p.m. The Senate returned from the recess. Senator Klobuchar spoke on the pending Chauvin verdict and paid tribute to Walter Mondale. She later spoke on the Gupta, Monaco and Clarke nominations.

2:56 p.m. The Senate recessed to accommodate until 4:00 p.m. for an all Senators briefing on Afghanistan.

2:55 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Gensler nomination, 54-44.

All Democrats/Independents and the following Republicans voted in favor: Collins, Grassley, Lummis and Rounds. Senator Burr voted present and Senator Scott of South Carolina was the lone absentee.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from recess and began a vote on the
motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #34 Gary Gensler to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission for a term expiring June 5, 2026. (Reappointment).

12:29 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.

12:17 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on infrastructure.

12:00 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on immigration and the border surge.

10:59 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the Biden agenda, infrastructure, and voter registration reform.

10:55 a.m. ML Schumer revised the days vote schedule. The cloture vote on the Gensler nomination will now occur at 2:15 p.m., to be followed by a recess to accommodate an all Senators briefing on Afghanistan. At 5:00 p.m., the Senate will conduct two confirmation votes, the first on the Gensler nomination and the second on the Monaco nomination.

10:20 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer paid tribute to Walter Mondale, the war on drugs, voter suppression and Puerto Rico.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following leader remarks will resume consideration of S.937, COVID–19 Hate Crimes Act.

At 12:00 noon, the Senate will proceed executive session and a cloture vote on the nomination of Gary Gensler to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission for a full term.

Following the cloture vote, the Senate will recess 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 Gensler nomination.

At a time to be determined on Tuesday, the Senate will vote on confirmation of Lisa Monaco to be Deputy Attorney General.

7:29 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2021,

6:15 p.m. The Senate agreed to the Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Lisa O. Monaco to be Deputy Attorney General by a vote of  94-3.

6:42 p.m. The Senate voted by a vote of 50-49 on the motion to proceed to executive session. ML Schumer filed cloture on the nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General.

5:30 p.m.   Senate will proceed to two roll call votes relative to the following: o Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Lisa O. Monaco to be Deputy Attorney General. Motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General.

4:35 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on the little amount of the infrastructure plan is actually going to bridges and roads.

4:20 p.m. Senator Tuberville spoke on  the outrageous infrastructure spending and the need to instead invest in our nation’s defense.

4:10 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on former President Bush’s oped regarding immigration and the need to help those at the border.

4:00 p.m. Senator McConnell spoke on the extravagant spending in the infrastructure package.

3:50p.m. The Senate resumed S.937, the COVID Hate Crimes Bill. Leader Schumer for Senator Hirono offered amendment #1445.

3:30 p.m. Leader Schumer spoke in favor of the Hate Croimes Bill.

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of S. 937, the Covid-hate crimes legislation.

At 5:30 p.m. the Senate will proceed to executive session and conduct a cloture vote on the nomination of Lisa Monaco to be Deputy Attorney General.

Cloture has also been filed on the nomination of Gary Gensler to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission until 2026.

6:43 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 3:00 p.m. on Monday April 19th.

6:37 p.m. ML Schumer wrapped up for the evening.

4:40 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer filed cloture on the following: Lisa Monaco to be Deputy Attorney General and re-appointing Gary Gensler to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission until 2026.

4:39 p.m. The motion to discharge the Gupta nomination from the Judiciary Committee was agreed to on a party line tally of 49-34.

Senators not voting: 16 Republicans: Barrasso, Braun, Burr, Daines, Inhofe, Lummis, Marshall, Moran, Paul, Portman, Risch, Romney, Rounds, Thune, Tillis and Toomey; 1 Democrat: Tester.

3:55 p.m. The Senate began a vote on the motion to discharge from the Judiciary committee PN79-4, Vanita Gupta, to be Associate Attorney General.

1:54 p.m. Senators Lee, Durbin, Klobuchar, Coons, Cornyn, Whitehouse, Blackburn, Cramer, Cruz and Braun spoke on the Gupta nomination.

1:28 p.m. Senator Reed spoke on bringing troops home from Afghanistan.

1:20 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke against the Gupta nomination.

1:11 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke supporting the Gupta nomination and supporting S. 937.

12:46 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke supporting the Gupta nomination.

12:43 p.m. The Senate began up to 4 hours of debate on the motion to discharge the Gupta nomination.

12:42 p.m. By a vote of 49-45 the Senate moved to proceed to Executive Session for the consideration of the motion to discharge from Judiciary Committee, Vanita Gupta, of Virginia, to be Associate Attorney General. This was a party line vote. Senators Marshall, Moran, Portman, Sanders and Tillis did not vote.

12:00 p.m. The Senate began a vote on the motion to proceed to Executive Session in order to discharge the nomination of Vanita Gupta from the Committee on the Judiciary.

11:21 a.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about drug pricing. Senator Kennedy asked unanimous consent to call up and pass the related bill, S. 1132. Senator Crapo objected.

10:49 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the infrastructure package.

10:34 a.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke supporting the Gupta nomination.

10:25 a.m. RL McConnell spoke on the filibuster, on the passing of Carol Barr and the Carol Act, and on departing staffer Katelyn Bunning.

10:13 a.m. ML Schumer spoke supporting S. 937, Covid-19 Hate Crimes legislation and on the Gupta nomination.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.937, a bill to facilitate the expedited review of COVID-19 hate crimes, and for other purposes, post-cloture.

At 12:00 p.m., all post-cloture time will be considered expired and the motion to proceed to S.937 will be agreed to. At that time, a vote is expected on the motion to proceed to Executive Session in order to move to discharge the nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General from the Committee on the Judiciary.

There will then be up to 4 hours of debate on the motion to discharge. Upon the use or yielding back of that time, the Senate will vote on the motion to discharge the Gupta nomination from the Committee on the Judiciary.

6:27 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 15. They will resume consideration of the motion to proceed S. 937, a bill to facilitate the expedited review of COVID-19 hate crimes. At 12 noon all post-cloture time will expire and the motion to proceed will be agreed to. At noon, the Senate is expected to have a roll call vote on a motion to proceed to Executive Session in order to move to discharge the nomination of Vanita Gupta from the Judiciary Committee.

During wrap-up:

Agreed to by voice vote, S. Res. 148 Recognizing the importance of paying tribute to those individuals who have faithfully served and retired from the armed forces.  

Passed by voice vote, S. 400, renaming  the Dept. of Transportation Headquarters to the William T. Coleman building.

6:18 p.m. Senator Burr paid tribute to Alvin Sykes.

5:53 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the infrastructure bill.

5:43 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the hate crimes bill.

5:30 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke about electric cars.

5:20 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about voting rights.

5:10 p.m. Senator Scott (FL) and Senator Barrasso spoke about election laws and S. 1.

5:08 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about anti-Asian hate crimes and violence.

4:56 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about S. 937.

4:55 p.m. By a vote of 92-6, the cloture motion on the motion to proceed to S. 937 was agreed to. Voting no: Cotton, Cruz, Hawley, Marshall, Paul and Tuberville. Not voting: Rounds and Tillis.

4:15 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #13, S.937, a bill to facilitate the expedited review of COVID-19 hate crimes.

4:12 p.m. By a vote of 53-45, the Mallory nomination was confirmed. Voting aye: Collins, Graham and Portman. Not voting: Rounds and Tillis.

3:33 p.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of Brenda Mallory, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Council on Environmental Quality.

3:21 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke about anti-Asian hate crimes and violence.

2:14 p.m. Senators Warnock, Murkowski, Toomey, Padilla, Cortez Masto and Cassidy read Dr. Martin Luther King’s letter from the Birmingham jail.

2:12 p.m. Senator Brown announced that 6 Senators will read Dr. Martin Luther King’s letter from the Birmingham jail.

1:55 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the filibuster.

1:39 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about Afghanistan.

1:29 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about the filibuster and also spoke about the voting rights bill.

1:17 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about the Mallory nomination.

1:15 p.m. By a vote of 53-45, cloture was invoked on the Mallory nomination. Voting aye: Collins, Graham and Portman. Not voting: Rounds and Tillis.

12:28 p.m. The Senate began voting on cloture on the nomination of Brenda Mallory, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Council on Environmental Quality

12:26 p.m. By a vote of 53-45 the Gensler nomination was confirmed. Republicans voting aye: Senators Collins, Grassley and Lummis. Not voting: Senators Rounds and Tillis.

11:45 a.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of Gary Gensler to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

11:30 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the border crisis.

11:15 a.m. Senator Marshall spoke about Kansas voters and democracy.

11:00 a.m. Senator McConnell spoke about Afghanistan, about the filibuster and about voting rights.

10:45 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about Asian hate crimes, about infrastructure and also about the troop removal from Afghanistan.

The Senate will convene at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, April 14^th at 11:45 am –  2 roll call votes:

• Confirmation Gary Gensler to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 5, 2021.
• Motion to invoke cloture on Brenda Mallory, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Council on Environmental Quality

Wednesday, April 14^th at 3:30 pm – 2 roll call votes:

• Confirmation of Brenda Mallory, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Council on Environmental Quality
• Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #13, S.937, a bill to facilitate the expedited review of COVID-19 hate crimes.

6:41 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned under the provisions of S.Res. 152, until 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, and does so as a further mark of respect to the memory of United States Capitol Police Officer William Francis “Billy” Evans.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Gary Gensler, to be Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission, post-cloture.

At 11:45 a.m., all post-cloture debate time will be considered expired and the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Gensler nomination, and upon its disposition there will be an immediate cloture vote on the nomination of Brenda Mallory, to be a Member of the Council on Environmental Quality.

If cloture is invoked on the Mallory nomination, then at 3:30 p.m. all post-cloture time will be considered expired and the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination. Upon disposition of the Mallory nomination, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #13, S.937, a bill to facilitate the expedited review of COVID-19 hate crimes.

6:39 p.m. Senator Hassan began wrap up. By unanimous consent the Senate passed S.Res 152, Honoring the memory of Officer William Francis “Billy” Evans of the U.S. Capitol Police for his selfless acts of heroism on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on April 2, 2021.

6:37 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Gary Gensler to be a member of the SEC by a vote of 53-45. Senators Collins, Grassley and Lummis voted yes.

Senators Rounds and Tillis did not vote.

6:09 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Gary Gensler to be a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

6:08 p.m. The Sherman nomination was confirmed, 56-42 with Republicans Burr, Capito, Collins, Murkowsi, Portman and Romney joining all Democrats and Independents in favor. Republicans Rounds and Tillis did not vote.

5:25 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Wendy Sherman to be Deputy Secretary of State.

5:12 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke paying tribute to Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Jim Smith and also on Fentanyl.

4:57 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the President’s infrastructure plan.

4:35 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke about the Coast Guard Congressional Fellow program.

4:22 p.m. Senator Brown spoke supporting the Gensler nomination to lead the SEC.

4:13 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke on the SEC.

4:01 p.m. Senator Thune spoke honoring the life Officer Billy Evans and service of Officer Ken Shaver and on court packing.

3:30 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on Georgia voting laws and restrictions.

3:29 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Sherman nomination, 55-42. Republicans Burr, Capito, Collins, Murkowski, Portman, Romney and Rounds joined Democrats/Independents in favor. Senators not voting: Booker, Tillis and Warnock.

2:55 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Wendy Sherman to be Deputy Secretary of State.

2:54 p.m. The Trottenberg nomination was confirmed 82-15. Voting no, all Republicans: Blackburn, Braun, Cotton, Cruz, Daines, Hagerty, Hawley, Kennedy, Lee, Paul, Rubio, both Scotts, Shelby and Tuberville voting no. Not voting: Two Democrats: Booker and Warnock, one Republican: Tillis.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from recess and began a roll call vote on confirmation of Polly Trottenberg to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation.

12:50 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.

12:39 p.m. RL McConnell spoke on Officer Billy Evans lying in honor in the Capitol Rotunda, on troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, and on the American Jobs Plan.

12:21 p.m. ML Schumer spoke on violence against Asian Americans and racial bias and on the Trottenberg nomination.

The Senate will convene at 12:00 p.m. and following Leader remarks, resume consideration of the nomination of Polly Trottenberg to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons.

At 2:15 p.m. proceed to two roll call votes:

**Confirmation of the Trottenberg nomination.

**Cloture on the nomination of Wendy Sherman to be Deputy Secretary of State.

We expect a confirmation vote on the Sherman nomination and a cloture vote on the nomination of Gary Gensler to be Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission later today.

6:15 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about the Amazon union vote.

5:30 p.m. Senate is currently voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the Trottenberg nomination. The motion was invoked 81-14.

5:15 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about the problems with Biden’s executive orders, especially the lack of jobs created by canceling the Keystone pipeline.

5:00 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about issues with immigration.

4:20 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the power of big tech and the lack of regulation and oversight on the industry.

4:10p.m.  Leader Schumer paid tribute to fallen Capitol Police officer, Billy Evans and passed H. Con. Res 27 approving Evans’ lying in state in the rotunda on Tuesday.

3:30 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the problem with illegal immigration at the border.

3: 15 p.m. Senator Tuberville spoke on the problem with illegal immigration at the border.

3:10 p.m. Leader McConnell paid tribute to fallen Capitol Police officer, Billy Evans.

3:00 p.m. Senator Durbin paid triubute to fallen Capitol Police officer, Billy Evans and the history of the filabuster.

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

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #55, Polly Trottenberg to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation.

At 5:30pm, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Trottenberg nomination.

Cloture has also been filed on the following:

1. Executive Calendar #35, Wendy Sherman to be Deputy Secretary of State.

3. Executive Calendar #33, Gary Gensler to be Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

4. Brenda Mallory to be a Member of the Council on Environmental Quality.

5. Motion to proceed to S.937, a bill to facilitate the expedited review of COVID-19 hate crimes.

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 2:00 p.m., Senator Warner presiding. No business was conducted.

The Senate met in pro forma session at 10:00 a.m., Senator Van Hollen presiding. No business was conducted.

11:00 a.m. The Senate met in a pro forma session with Senator Cardin presiding. No business was conducted.