Wednesday, July 19, 2017

5:31 p.m. ML McConnell asked u.c. that the Senate adjourn until 10:00 a.m. Thursday. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to resume consideration of Executive Calendar #170, John Kenneth Bush, of Kentucky, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, post-cloture. At 12:15 p.m., all post-cloture time will expire and the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the Bush nomination. At 1:45 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #100, David Bernhardt, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior.

5:11 p.m. Senators Merkley  and Warren spoke against the Bush nomination.

4:42 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about the energy policy.

4:33 p.m. Senator Coons spoke against the Bush nomination.

4:08 p.m. Senator Peters spoke on helping small businesses.

4:00 p.m. The Senate returned from the recess.

1:55 p.m. The Senate recessed to accommodate an all Senators briefing on ISIS.

1:06 p.m. Senators Hirono, Murray, Blumenthal and Franken spoke against the Bush nomination.

12:35 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about the Constitution and health care.

11:53 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the pace of confirmation of nominees.

11:04 a.m. Senator Brown spoke against the Bush nomination.

11:01 a.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of John Bush to be a circuit judge for the sixth circuit on a party line vote, 51-48 with Senator McCain not voting.

10:32 a.m. The cloture vote on Bush began.

10:22 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about health care. He spoke against the Bush nomination.

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At 10:30 a.m., the Senate will vote on cloture for the Bush nomination.

Cloture has been filed on the nomination of David Bernhardt to be deputy secretary of the Interior. A cloture vote will occur after the Senate has disposed of the Bush nomination.

NOTE: Republican senators will attend a luncheon at the White House today at 12:30 p.m. Senators will board buses at 11:45 a.m. at the Senate steps of the Capitol. Departure for the White House will be at noon. The luncheon is expected to conclude at about 1:45 p.m.

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9:49 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke in favor of the Bush nomination.

9:54 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke against the Bush nomination.