Monday, February 4, 2019

7:36 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

7:34 p.m. Senator Sasse wrapped up for the evening. H Con Res 109 regarding the State of the union address tomorrow was passed by unanimous consent.

6:34 p.m. Senators Sasse, Ernst, Hayley, Lankford and Braun spoke on abortion.

6:32 p.m. Senators Sasse asked to take up and pass S. 130 regarding abortion; Senator Murray objected.

6:28 p.m. Senator Risch called up amendment 97 and then Senator Melendez called up amendment 98 to amendment 97.

6:27 p.m. Cloture was invoked on S.1 by a tally of 72-24.

Senators voting in favor: 49 Republicans, 22 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 22 Democrats: Baldwin, Booker, Brown, Carper, Durbin, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Harris, Heinrich, Hirono, Kaine, Leary, Markey, Merkley, Murphy, Peters, Reed, Schatz, Shaheen, Udall, Van Hollen and Warren; 1 Republican: Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

6:09 p.m. The Senate began voting on cloture on S.1.

6:08 p.m. The McConnell amendment was agreed to 70-26.

Senators voting in favor: 46 Republicans, 23 Democrats, 1 Indepenedent: King.

Senators voting against: 21 Democrats: Baldwin, Booker, Brown, Cardin, Durbin, Gillibrand, Harris, Heinrich, Hirono, Klobuchar, Leahy, Markey, Merkley, Murphy, Schatz, Schumer, Smith, Udall, Van Hollen, Warren and Wyden; 4 Republicans: Cruz, Kennedy, Lee and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: 3 Republicans: Gardner, Murkowski and Perdue; 1 Democrat: Cantwell.

5:32 p.m. Roll call vote began on the McConnell amendment.

5:31 p.m The Senate agreed to the Menendez second degree amendment by voice vote.

5:03 p.m. Senator Paul spoke against S.1; and attempted to call up his amendment #102, Senator Risch objected.

4:46 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke on student loans.

4:32 p.m Senators Lee and Daines spoke on abortion.

4:03 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the IMF Treat and President Trump’s withdrawal.

3:55 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke about the IMF Treaty.

3:50 p.m. Senator Hasan also spoke on the need to assist in helping Americans retire.

3:25 p.m. Senator Collins spoke on the need to assist in helping Americans retire.

3:15 p.m. Leader Schumer spoke on the useless government showdown and the uncertainty of the State of the Union.

3:00 p.m. Leader McConnell asked for S. 311 to be read a second time and objected to further proceedings so it would be placed on the legislative calendar. He then spoke on the underlying legislation, the middle east security bill, S.1.

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the middle east security bill, S.1.

At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will have three roll call votes:

  1. In relation to the pending Menendez second-degree amendment (#96) to the McConnell amendment (#65), to clarify that the amendment shall not be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization of the use of military force .
  2. In relation to McConnell amendment #65, as amended, if amended.
  3. Cloture on S. 1.