Wednesday, March 7, 2018

7:00 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned.

6:58 p.m. Senator Crapo announces that the majority wants to begin debating and voting on amendments, first two on GOP side: a Paul amendment auditing the federal reserve, and a Moran amendment to restructure the CFPB. Hopes we can convene tomorrow and finalize the amendment process. Propounds UC that Senate adjourn until 9:30 on Thursday.

6:10 p.m. ML McConnell does wrap-up for the evening. The following nominations were confirmed by voice vote:
Michael Rigas to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Jeff Tien Han Pon to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management.
McGregor Scott to be US Attorney for the Eastern District of California.
Gary Schofield to US Marshall for the District of Nevada.
Billy Williams to be US Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Mark James to be US Marshall for the Western District of Missouri.
Daniel Mostellar to be US Marshall for the District of South Dakota.
Jesse Seroyer of Alabama to be US Marshall for the Middle District of Alabama.

The following bills (all naming post offices) were passed by voice vote: S 931, S. 2040, HR 294, HR 452, HR 1208, HR 1858, HR 1988, HR 2254, HR 2302, HR 2464, HR 2672, HR 2815, HR 2873, HR 3109, HR 3369, HR 3638, HR 3655, HR 3821, HR 3983, HR 4042, HR 4285, HR 1207.

The following bills were passed by unanimous consent:
S. Res 425, regarding colorectal cancer awareness month.

6:09 p.m Senator Crapo called up amendment #2152.

6:08 p.m. The Motion to proceed was agreed to by voice vote. ML McConnell calls up the Crapo substitute amendment, #2151.

5:27 p.m. Senator Murkowski paid tribute to Jim Balamaci of the Alaska Special Olympics, who passed away recently.

5:06 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke for the 199th time on climate change.

4:14 p.m. Senator Warren spoke about the banking reform bill.

3:51 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about the banking reform bill.

3:08 p.m. Senator Crapo spoke about S.2155.

2:51 p.m. Senators Whitehouse and Crapo spoke about S.97, the Nuclear Energies Innovation and Capabilities Act and it was passed, along with the Crapo amendment, by voice vote.

2:36 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about S.2155.

2:23 p.m Senator Fischer spoke about S.2155.

2:13 p.m. Senator Enzi spoke about S.2155.

2:05 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about S.2155.

1:56 p.m. Senator Capito spoke about S. 2155 and Dodd Frank.

1:46 p.m. Senator Rounds spoke supporting S. 2155.

1:32 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke about S. 2155.

1:01 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about DACA.

12:41 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the maintenance back-log in the National Park System.

12:26 p.m. Senator Reed spoke about the unemployment rate.

10:56 a.m. Senator Barasso spoke about cost sharing reduction payments.

10:07 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about financial regulations.

9:52 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about trade. Hew spoke about the tax overhaul.

9:33 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the bill to relax provisions of the Dodd-Frank financial regulatory law. He spoke about the tax overhaul.

*****

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2155, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act.