Tuesday, May 15, 2018

6:03 The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30 Wednesday, May 16th.

5:40 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on pensions.

5:15 Senator Rubio spoke on U.S. Chinese relations.

4:54 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke on pensions.

4:48 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke on pensions.

4:32 p.m. Senator Peters spoke on the central states pension fund.

4:04 p.m. Senator Donnelly spoke about pensions.

3:51 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about price of prescription drugs.

3:42 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke about Peace Officers Memorial Day.

3:23 p.m. Senator Hoeven spoke about Peace Officers Memorial Day.

3:02 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about Peace Officers Memorial Day.

2:30 p.m. Senator King spoke in praise of law enforcement in conjunction with Peace Officers Memorial Day.

2:16 p.m. Senator Murray spoke against the Zais nomination.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from the recess and began consideration of the nomination of Mitchell Zais to be Deputy Secretary of Education.  There are up to ten (10) hours of debate on the nomination.

1:00 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.

12:59 p.m. The Nalbandian nomination was confirmed by a vote of 53 to 45.

Senators in favor: 50 Republicans, 3 Democrats: Donnelly, Heitkamp and Manchin.

Senators against: 43 Democrats, 2 Independents: King and Sanders.

Senators Duckworth and McCain were absent.

12:34 p.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of John Nalbandian to be Judge for the 6th Circuit.

12:33 p.m. The Carson nomination was confirmed by a vote of 77 to 21.

Senators in favor: 50 Republicans, 26 Democrats: Bennet, Blumenthal, Cardin, Carper, Coons, Donnelly, Durbin, Feinstein, Hassan, Heinrich, Heitkamp, Jones, Kaine, Klobuchar, Leahy, Manchin, McCaskill, Murphy, Nelson, Schatz, Schumer, Shaheen, Tester, Udall, Van Hollen and Warner; 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 20 Democrats, 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators Duckworth and McCain were absent.

11:59 a.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of Joel Carson III to be Judge for the 10th Circuit.

11:57 a.m. At 2:15 p.m. the Senate will proceed to the nomination of Mitchell Zais to be Deputy Secretary of Education.

10:51 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke about harmful budget cuts.

10:22 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about Brown vs. Board anniversary, Medicare cuts, and infastructure.

10:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about National Police week and on judicial nominations.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Joel Carson to be a judge on the 10th circuit.

At 12:00 noon, the Senate will conduct two roll call votes:

Following the votes, the Senate will recess for the weekly caucus luncheons until 2:15 p.m.

A special note about the lunches:  The President will be attending the GOP policy luncheon. Access will be restricted on the East side of the Ohio Clock Corridor and movement throughout the second floor will be impacted during his visit.  Those wishing to attend, can enter the OCC via the West Grand Staircase. Those wishing to catch Senators should seek alternatives to the east side of the OCC. The bank of six elevators will be open during POTUS visit, but reporters will likely not be able to move with Senators throughout the corridor and possible be held in place while POTUS moves through the building.  Only hard passes will be accepted for today’s event (not a good day to forget your pass!). Please follow gallery staff guidance and thanks in advance for your cooperation.