Wednesday, November 30, 2016

6:48 p.m. Senate stands adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 1st.  The Senate will vote on  passage of  the Iran Sanctions bill at 1:45 p.m.  The Senate passed the following bills during today’s session:

S.2971 – National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2016, with committee-reported amendment; S.3183 – Better Online Ticket Sales Act, with committee-reported amendment; Concurred in the House amendment to S.1550 – Program Management Improvement Accountability Act;  H.R.5995 – GAO Civilian Task and Delivery Order Protest Authority Act of 2016; H.R.55009 – Dr. Otis Bowen Veteran House; S.Res.605 – honoring Arnold Palmer;  S.Res.610 – Manufacturing Day; S.Res.626 – 75th anniversary of MD Anderson Cancer Center and S.3386 – Silver Star Service Banner Day.

4:53 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about Fidel Castro.

4:33 p.m. Senator Fischer paid tribute to the retiring Adm. Cecil C. Haney.

4:05 p.m. Senators Graham and McCain engaged in a colloquy about the bill to permit lawsuits by the families of victims of terrorist attacks abroad.

3:55 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke about the 21st Century Cures bill.

3:45 p.m Senator Rounds spoke about the VA and emergency room care.

3:25 p.m. Senator Cassidy and Senator Murphy spoke about mental health.

3:13 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the fires in Tennessee and about mental health.

2:55 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke against sanctuary cities.

2:51 p.m. Senator Grassley asked unanamous consent to proceed with consideration of H.R. 5963. Senator Cotton objected and explained his  concerns.

2:47 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on need to reform federal juvenile justice programs.

2:36 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on need to reform federal juvenile justice programs.

2:26 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke on the appropriations process and President-elect Trump’s business holdings.

2:24 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke about James A. Ross, Arkansan of the week.

2:12 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about Homeland Security funding and the appropriations process.

1:54 p.m. Senator Hoeven spoke about the Dakota Access Pipeline.

12:58 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the election and about healthcare.

12:56 p.m. Senator Sasse spoke about ISIL.

12:46 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about retired coal miner’s health and retirement benefits.

12:31 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke about the death of Chief Petty Officer Scott Dayton in Syria and AUMF.

12:15 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke against the 21st Century Cures Act.

12:05 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke against the 21st Century Cures Act.

11:58 a.m. Senator Warren spoke on the 21st Century Cures Act.

11:40 a.m. Senator Wyden addressed Senator Cornyn’s objections to consideration of legislation relating to Rule 41.

11:32 a.m. Senator Wyden asked unanamous consent to proceed to a roll call vote on S. 3485. Senator Cornyn objected and explained his objection.

11:26 a.m. Senator Coons asked unanamous consent to proceed to immediate consideration of S. 3475. Senator Cornyn objected.

11:23 a.m. Senator Coons spoke about Rule 41 and protecting privacy rights.

11:20 a.m. Senator Daines spoke about Rule 41 and keeping citizens safe from government hacking.

11:19 a.m. Senator Wyden asked unanamous consent to proceed to immediate consideration of S. 2952. Senator Cornyn objected.

11:11 a.m. Senator Wyden spoke about Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

10:55 a.m. Senator Cornyn thanked Senator Enzi. He spoke about the legislative agenda.

10:32 a.m. Senator Enzi spoke about the federal debt.

10:15 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration.

10:21 a.m. Senator Boxer spoke in tribute to Senator Reid.

10:05 a.m. Minority Leader Reid paid tribute to Senator Boxer.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke of measures up for Senate consideration, including the 21st Century Cures Act. He said the Senate will take up that bill after the House passes it.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

No votes have yet been scheduled for today.

By an agreement reached Tuesday, a vote is expected this week on H.R.6297, the House-passed Iran sanctions bill.

Majority leadership has indicated that the Senate may take up following measures during the lame-duck session:

The spending resolution to continue government operations; the defense authorization; the water resources bill; the energy bill; the 21st Century Cures Act.