Thursday, May 10, 2018

4:51 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 3:00 p.m. on Monday May 14th.

4:47 p.m. Senator Portman wraps up for the evening, Department of Justice nominations were confirmed en bloc by voice vote:

  • Ex. Cal. #740 – Patrick Hovakimian, of California, to be a Member of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States for a term expiring September 30, 2020.
  • Ex. Cal. #830 – Gregory Allyn Forest, of North Carolina, to be United States Marshal for the Western District of North Carolina for the term of four years.
  • Ex. Cal. #831 – Bradley A. Maxwell, of Illinois, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois for the term of four years
Adopted by u.c. S.Res.505, recognizing the roles and contributions of the teachers of the United States in building and enhancing the civic, cultural, and economic well-being of the United States.
Adopted by u.c.  S.Res.506, supporting the designation of May 15, 2018, as “National Senior Fraud Awareness Day”
Passed by u.c. H.R.931, Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2017 with Alexander amendment

4:35 p.m. Senator Portman spoke supporting the Haspel nomination.

3:27 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about fuel efficiency.

3:05 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about relationship with China.

3:05 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Nalbandian nomination, 52-43.

1:45 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of John Nalbandian to be a judge for the 6th Circuit.

1:43 p.m. ML McConnell acheives UC to vitiate cloture on the following nominations, and the confirmation votes occur Monday at 5:30 p.m.

  • Michael Scudder to be a United States Circuit Judge for the 7th Circuit
  • Amy St. Eve to be a United States Circuit Judge for the 7th Circuit

Further, that at 12:00 noon on Tuesday May 15, the Senate vote on confirmation of the Carson and Nalbandian nominations.

1:35 p.m. Senator Heller spoke against the bill approved today by the House regarding Yucca Mountain.

1:24 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke briefly on the Haspel nomination and then turned to discuss medicaid and its conditions in Florida.

1:15 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke in favor of the Haspel nomination.

1:14 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Carson nomination, 71-24.

Senators in favor: 49 Republicans, 21 Democrats: Bennet, Carper, Donnelly, Durbin, Feinstein, Hassan, Heinrich, Heitkamp, Jones, Kaine, Leahy, Manchin, McCaskill, Murphy, Nelson, Schatz, Schumer, Shaheen, Tester, Udall and Warner; 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 23 Democrats, 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: 3 Democrats: Booker, Coons and Duckworth; 2 Republicans: Graham and McCain.

12:43 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the Carson nomination.

12:42 p.m. The Brennan nomination was confirmed on a party line tally of 49-46.

Senators not voting: Booker, Coons, Duckworth, Graham and McCain.

12:00 p.m. Roll Call vote began on confirmation of Michael Brennan to be a judge for the 7th Circuit.

11:44 a.m. Senators Tillis and Lankford spoke on Pastor Andrew Brunson imprisoned in Turkey.

11:24 a.m. Senator Flake asked u.c. to call up H.R. 1551, with an amendment related to immigration. Senator Lee objected.

11:11 a.m. Senator Warren spoke about nominations.

10:53 a.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about blue slips.

10:29 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about nominations, North Korea, Iran, and healthcare.

10:04 a.m. ML McConnell spoke about Secretary Pompeo, nominations, and tax reform.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.; at which time resume consideration of the nomination of Michael Brennan to be judge for the 7th circuit, post cloture.

At 12:00 noon there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Brennan nomination followed by a cloture vote on the Carson nomination.

At 1:45 p.m., there will be a cloture vote on the Carson nomination. If cloture is invoked on both nominations, the time will run concurrently.

12:00 noon—2 roll call votes

  1. Confirmation of  Michael Brennan to be Judge for the 7th Circuit
  2. Cloture Joel Carson to be Judge for the 10th Circuit

1:45 p.m.—1 roll call vote

  1. Cloture on John Nalbandian to be Judge for the 6th Circuit