Tuesday, June 7, 2016
8:44 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, when it will resume consideration of the defense bill. At 10:30 a.m., the Senate will recess until the call of the chair.
8:42 p.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on the Reed second-degree amendment (#4549) to McCain amendment (#4229) and on the McCain amendment itself. By voice votes, the Senate passed S. 2487, to direct the VA to identify mental health programs; and H. Con. Res 119, allowing the Capitol grounds to be used for the Soapbox Derby.
7:57 p.m. Senator Booker spoke about addiction.
7:47 p.m. Senator Merkely spoke about the toxics bill.
7:19 p.m. Senator Gardner spoke about rocket programs.
7:13 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about his amendment (#4510) to deal with certain military contracting problems.
7:07 p.m. Senator Peters spoke about his amendment (#4138) to help military victims of brain injuries.
7:06 p.m. Senator McCain expressed hope that votes on the McCain and Reed measures will come Wednesday.
7:05 p.m. Senator Reed secured consent to bring up his second-degree amendment (#4549) to McCain amendment #4229, which would add $18 billion to the defense authorization. Senator Reed noted that his second-degree amendment would add money to non-defense programs.
6:52 p.m. Senators Markey, Inhofe and Udall exchanges thanks for the bipartisan work on the toxics bill.
6:50 p.m. By a voice voice, the Senate concurred with the House on H.R. 2576, the Toxic Substances Control Act.
6:47 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about the toxics bill.
6:44 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about the toxics bill.
6:36 p.m. Senator Markey talked about the toxics bill.
6:16 p.m. Senator Vitter spoke on the Toxic Substance Control Act.
6:06 p.m. Senator Boxer spoke on the Toxic Substance Control Act.
6:05 p.m. The Senate agreed to move to debate on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2576, Toxic Substance Control Act, by unanimous consent. A voice vote is expected at approximately 6:45 p.m. after 45 minutes of debate.
5:47 p.m. Senator Coons and Whitehouse engaged in a colloquoy in climate change.
5:28 p.m. Senator Paul spoke against the Toxic Substance Control Act.
5:12 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about prescription drug and heroin addiction.
5:08 p.m. Senator McCain added details on the prospective defense amendment.
5:07 p.m. Senator Inhofe said there may be a motion shortly to take up the Toxic Substance Control Act.
5:05 p.m. Senators McCain and Reed engaged in a colloquoy about possible votes tomorrow or Thursday on a McCain amendment to add $17 billion to the defense authorization, and a second-degree amendment to be offered by the minority.
5:05 p.m. The Inhofe amendment passed by a vote of 70 to 28.
4:32 p.m. The Durbin amendment passed by a vote of 66 to 32. YEAS: 43 Democrats, 22 Republicans, 1 independent. NAYS: All Republican.
Not voting: independent Sanders and Democrat Warner.
3:57 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke in favor of the Durbin amendment.
3:55 p.m. Senators Graham spoke in opposition to the Durbin amendment.
3:53 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke in favor of the resolution of disapproval of the proposed overtime rules.
3:49 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about investing in medical research and his amendment.
3:43 p.m. Senator Reed spoke about the pending amendments.
3:30 p.m. Senators Johnson and Alexander spoke in favor of a resolution of disapproval about a proposed overtime rule.
3:16 p.m. Senator Durbin and Senator Graham continued speaking about the NDAA
3:10 p.m. Senator Graham spoke against the Durbin amendment.
2:53 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on his medical research amendment #2369.
2:36 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on artwork stolen by the nazis during the holocaust. He later spoke on the defense authorization bill.
2:15 p.m. Senator Mikulski spoke on the Inhofe – Mikulski amendment regarding commissaries; and then engaged in a back and forth with Senator McCain on the amendment and the topic of commissaries.
12:55 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.
12:45 p.m. Senator Inhofe called up his amendment #4204 and spoke in favor of the amendment.
12:40 p.m. Senator McCain asked unanimous consent for the Durbin #4369 and Inhofe #4202 amendments to be called up and time until 4:00 p.m. be equally divided for debate on the two amendments. At 4:00 the Senate will have two roll call votes.
He further asked the following amendments be agreed to en bloc by unanimous consent: 4138,4293, 4112, 4177, 4354, 4079, 4317, 4031, 4169, 4236, 4119, 4095, 40864071,4247, 4344.
12:30 p.m. Senator Merkley also spoke on the recent train derailment in Oregon.
12:20 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke on the recent train derailment in Oregon.
12:10 p.m. Senator Thune spoke on President Obama’s foreign policy.
11:55 a.m. Senator Menendez spoke on Donald Trump and his remarks about Judge Curiel.
11:50 a.m. Senator McCain responded again to Senator Cruz.
11:46 a.m. Senator McCain responded to Senator Cruz, hopes he votes for the bill, with Senator Cruz responding regarding women being subject to selective service; and due process.
11:26 a.m. Senator Cruz spoke on flooding in Texas, and later the defense authorization and his amendments to it.
11:21 a.m. Senator Daines spoke on his cyber security and terrorism amendment, #4260.
11:20 a.m. Senator McCain informed colleagues there may be a UC regarding votes for later today soon.
11:12 a.m. Senator Manchin spoke on prescription drug overdoses.
10:59 a.m. Senators Durbin and McCain continued to speak on medical research.
10:42 a.m. Senator McCain spoke of the medical research funds.
10:45 a.m. Senator McCain spoke against the Durbin amendment.
10:35 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about his amendment on military medical research.
10:29 a.m. Senator McConnell spoke about the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
10:28 a.m. Senator McCain spoke in support of Senator Shaheen’s measure on Afghan visa applicants.
10:20 a.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about her measure to assist Afghan visa applicants who have assisted U.S. forces during the war.
10:12 a.m. Senator King spoke about cyber-attacks.
10:03 a.m. Senator Reid spoke about Senator Grassley’s response to Donald Trump’s comments about the federal judge who is overseeing court cases against Trump University.
*****
The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (S. 2943).
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons.
The following amendment is currently pending to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (S. 2943):
- McCain amendment to address unfunded priorities of the Armed Forces. (#4229)