Thursday, August 1, 2019

 

3:15 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 3 p.m. on September 6. The Senate will convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business conducted, on the following dates and times:

Friday, August 2nd at 1 p.m.

Tuesday, August 6th at 9 a.m.

Friday, August 9th at 9 a.m.

Tuesday, August 13th at 12:30 p.m.

Friday, August 16th at 3 p.m.

Tuesday, August 20th at 9 a.m.

Friday, August 23rd at 9:15 a.m.

Tuesday, August 27th at 10 a.m.

Friday, August 30th at 5 p.m.

Tuesday, September 3rd at 1 p.m.

Friday, September 6th at 8:30 a.m.

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, September 6, it will next convene at 3 p.m., Monday, September 9. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of  Kelly Craft, of Kentucky, to be Representative of the United States to the UN General Assembly.

At 5:30 p.m. on September 6, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Craft nomination.

2:55 p.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on these nominations:

Kelly Craft, of Kentucky, to be Representative of the United States to the UN General Assembly.

Elizabeth Darling, of Texas, to be Commissioner on Children, Youth, and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.

Stephen Akard, of Indiana, to be Director of the Office of Foreign Missions, with the rank of Ambassador.

Dale Cabaniss, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management.

James Byrne, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Michelle Bowman, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Thomas Feddo, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Investment Security.

Jennifer Nordquist, of Virginia, to be United States Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

As a reminder, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Democratic Leader, the Senate will vote on confirmation of following nominations:

1.       Executive Calendar #233, Stephanie L. Haines, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania;

2.       Executive Calendar #326, Ada E. Brown, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas;

3.       Executive Calendar #352, Steven C. Seeger, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois;

4.       Executive Calendar #344, Mary S. McElroy, of Rhode Island, to be United States District Judge for the District of Rhode Island;

5.       Executive Calendar #346, Stephanie A. Gallagher, of Maryland, to be United States District Judge for the District of Maryland.

 

5:30 p.m., Monday September 9th – 1 roll call vote:

1. Motion to invoke cloture on Kelly Craft, of Kentucky, to be Representative of the United States to the UN General Assembly.

During Thursday’s session, the Senate reached an agreement for the consideration of Calendar #102, S. 1340, Ebola Eradication Act of 2019. At time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Democratic Leader, no later than Thursday September 26th, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the bill. The only amendment in order is Lee amendment #935. There will be up to 2 hours of debate equally divided between the two leaders or their designees followed by a vote on adoption of the Lee Amendment with a 60 vote affirmative threshold for adoption. The Committee-reported amendment, as amended, if amended, will be agreed to. The Senate will then vote on passage of the bill, as amended. Another message will be sent when the votes are scheduled.

TBD in September—2 roll call votes

1. Lee amendment #935 (re: to modify the authorization of assistance) (60-vote threshold for adoption)

2. Passage of S. 1340, Ebola Eradication Act of 2019

3:35 p.m. During wrap-up, the Senate took these actions:

— Passed S. 862, Rebuilding Small Businesses After Disasters Act, w/ Kennedy amdts.;

— Passed S.394, Presidential Transition Enhancement Act;

— Passed the following Judiciary bills by voice vote:

H.R.3311, Small Business Reorganization;

H.R.2336, Family Farmer Relief Act;

H.R.2938, HAVEN Act;

H.R.3304, National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act.

3:35 p.m. The Senate took these actions:

— By voice vote, adopted:

S.Res.304, designating September as “National Workforce Development Month”;

S.Res.305, designating the week of September 14 through September 21, 2019, as ‘‘National Estuaries Week’’

Executive Business

The Senate confirmed the following nominations:

NAVY

Vice Adm. Michael M. Gilday for appointment as Chief of Naval Operations

THE JUDICIARY

M. Miller Baker, of Louisiana, to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade;

Exec. Cal. #58 – Timothy M. Reif, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade

U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

Randolph J. Stayin, of Virginia, to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission for a term expiring June 16, 2026;

Amy Karpel, of Washington, to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission for a term expiring June 16, 2023

LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

Matthew Keenan, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2020

Julie Reiskin, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2019 (Reappointment)

Robert J. Grey, Jr., of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2020 (Reappointment)

Abigail L. Kuzma, of Indiana, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2019

Abigail L. Kuzma, of Indiana, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2022 (Reappointment)

John G. Levi, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2020 (Reappointment)

John G. Malcolm, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2020

Frank X. Neuner, Jr., of Louisiana, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2019

Frank X. Neuner, Jr., of Louisiana, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2022 (Reappointment)

Gloria Valencia-Weber, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2020 (Reappointment)

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

Ron A. Bloom, of New York, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2020

Roman Martinez IV, of Florida, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2024

John McLeod Barger, of California, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2021

UNITED STATES POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

Ann C. Fisher, of the District of Columbia, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission for a term expiring October 14, 2024

Ashley Jay Elizabeth Poling, of North Carolina, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission for a term expiring November 22, 2024

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Mark Schultz, of Nebraska, to be Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Sharon Fast Gustafson, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term of four years

Charlotte A. Burrows, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2023

NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

Kathe Hicks Albrecht, of California, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2024.

Keegan F. Callanan, of Vermont, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2024.

David Armand DeKeyser, of Alabama, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26.

Kim R. Holmes, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.

Phyllis Kaminsky, of Arizona, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.

Jean M. Yarbrough, of Maine, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.

Marjorie Fisher Furman, of Michigan, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.

Russell A. Berman, of California, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.

William English, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2024.

John Fonte, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.

Claire Griffin, of Washington, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.

Adair Margo, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.

Matthew Rose, of Iowa, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2024.

Noel Valis, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.

William Schneider, Jr., of Colorado, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.

Joyce Malcolm, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.

Mary Anne Carter, of Tennessee, to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts for a term of four years

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Wilmer Ocasio, of Puerto Rico, to be United States Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico for the term of four years

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Thomas McCaffery, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Michael Eric Wooten, of Virginia, to be Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy

COMMERCE

Jennifer L. Homendy, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2024.

Michael J.K. Kratsios, of South Carolina, to be an Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Robert L. Sumwalt III, of South Carolina, to be Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term of three years. (Reappointment)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Mark Lee Greenblatt, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Department of the Interior.

THE JUDICIARY

James A. Crowell IV, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.

Jason Park, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.

Rainey R. Brandt, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.

Shana Frost Matini, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.

 

UNITED STATES TAX COURT

Exec. Cal. #293 – Emin Toro, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years

UNITED STATES TAX COURT

Courtney Dunbar Jones, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Michael Faulkender, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Lisa M. Schenck, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Military Commission Review

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Kenneth S. George, of Texas, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay

W. Patrick Murphy, of Vermont, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Cambodia

Richard K. Bell, of Pennsylvania, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire

Jonathan R. Cohen, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Arab Republic of Egypt

Christopher Landau, of Maryland, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Mexican States

Richard B. Norland, of Iowa, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Libya

Philip S. Goldberg, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Ambassador, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Colombia

Jessica E. Lapenn, of New York, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Representative of the United States of America to the African Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador

Mary Beth Leonard, of Massachusetts, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Federal Republic of Nigeria

INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Eliot Pedrosa, of Florida, to be United States Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of three years

TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY

William B. Kilbride, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 2023

1:11 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke about the ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

12:56 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about National Parks.

12:35 p.m. Senator Durbin paid tribute to a soldier killed in Afghanistan.

12:22 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke on the budget.

12:14 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about returning to Texas to talk to constituents.

12:13 p.m. By a tally of 67-28 the Senate passed H.R. 3877, Bipartisan Budget act of 2019.

Senators voting in favor: 37 Democrats, 29 Republicans, 1 Independent: King.

Voting no: 23 Republicans: Blackburn, Braun, Cassidy, Cotton, Cruz, Daines, Enzi, Fischer, Gardner, Hawley, Johnson, Kennedy, Lankford, Lee, Paul, Risch, Romney, Rubio, Sasse, Scott of Florida, Scott of South Carolina, Tillis and Toomey. 5 Democrats: Bennet, Carper, Klobuchar, Manchin and Tester.

Senators not voting: 3 Democrats: Booker, Harris and Warren; 1 Republican: Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

11:57 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R. 3877, Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019.

11:56 a.m. The Senate invoked cloture on H.R. 3877 by a tally of 67-27.

Democrats voting against (5): Senators Bennet, Carper, Klobuchar, Manchin, and Tester. Republicans voting against (22): Senators Blackburn, Braun, Cotton, Cruz, Daines, Enzi, Fischer, Gardner, Hawley, Johnson, Kennedy, Lankford, Lee, Paul, Risch, Romney, Rubio, Sasse, Scott of FL, Scott of SC, Tillis and Toomey.

Senators Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, Isakson, Sanders and Warren did not vote.

11:37 a.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R. 3877, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019.

11:37 a.m. By a tally of 23-70, Senate did not adopt the Paul amendment #932.

23 Republicans voted yes: Senators Barrasso, Blackburn, Braun, Cornyn, Crapo, Cruz, Daines, Enzi, Ernst, Fischer, Johnson, Kennedy, Lankford, Lee, Moran, Paul, Risch, Romney, Rubio, Sasse, Scott (SC), Toomey & Young.

7 Senators did not vote (6 Democrats/1 Republican): Senators Bennet, Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, Isakson, Sanders and Warren.

11:00 a.m. The Senate is now voting on Paul amendment #932 to HR.3877, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 (60 vote threshold).

10:54 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the budget bill.

10:46 a.m. Senator Paul called up his amendment #932.

10:38 a.m. Senator Paul spoke about the budget.

10:28 a.m. Senator Murphy spoke about defense spending and on Yemen.

10:15 a.m. Senator Perdue spoke about the budget.

10:08 a.m. Senator Warner spoke about election security.

9:51 a.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke about election security.

9:41 a.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about election security.

9:40 a.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on the budget deal.

9:33 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about a natural gas explosion in Danville, KY. He spoke about nominations and about the pending budget deal.

9:32 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about his proposed Medicaid initiative.

*****

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m.  Following any leader remarks, resume consideration of H.R.3877, the budget bill.

There will be up to two hours of debate, followed by up to 4 votes:

Votes are expected to begin at approximately 11:00 a.m.

***

The votes on the nominations in the below UC agreement are not expected until after the August recess:

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Democratic Leader, the Senate will vote on confirmation of following nominations:

  1. Executive Calendar #233, Stephanie Haines to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania
  2. Executive Calendar #326, Ada Brown to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas
  3. Executive Calendar #352, Steven Seeger to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois
  4. Executive Calendar #344, Mary McElroy to be United States District Judge for the District of Rhode Island
  5. Executive Calendar #346, Stephanie Gallagher to be United States District Judge for the District of Maryland