Wednesday, January 15, 2020

6:46 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will convene at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, January 16th and resume consideration of H.R. 5430, the USMCA Act. Debate time on USMCA will expire at 11:00 a.m. and Senator Toomey or his designee will be recognized to raise a budget point of order.

There will be 2 vote at 11:00 a.m.:

  1. The motion to waive the budget act in relation to H.R. 5430, the USMCA Act
  2. Passage of H.R. 5430, the USMCA Act

At 12:00 noon, the Senate will receive the Managers on the part of the House of Representatives to present and exhibit the articles of impeachment.

At 2:00 p.m., the presence of the Chief Justice of the United States is requested as presiding officer for consideration of the articles of impeachment, pursuant to Article I, Section 3, Clause 6 of the U.S. Constitution.

During wrap-up:

  • H.R. 133, to promote economic partnership and cooperation between the United States and Mexico, was passed by unanimous consent.
  • S.Res. 371, reaffirming the support of the United States for the people of the Republic of South Sudan and calling on all parties to uphold their commitments to peace and dialogue as outlined in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, was adopted by voice vote.
  • S.Res. 472, commending the Louisiana State University Tigers football team for winning the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship, was adopted by unanimous consent.
  • S.Res. 473, congratulating the University of Charleston men’s soccer team for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Men’s Soccer Championship at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was adopted by unanimous consent.

6:35 p.m. Senators Hoeven and Cramer spoke about the North Dakota State University football team.

5:37 p.m. The Senate received the message from the House that the articles of impeachment were ready. S.Res.471, allowing the taking of a photograph in the Senate Chamber, was adopted by unanimous consent.

5:13 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke against USMCA.

5:06 p.m. Senator Cantwell spoke in tribute to staffer Chris Allen and supporting USMCA.

5:03 p.m. Senator Brown spoke in tribute to staffer Chris Allen.

4:44 p.m. Senator Portman spoke on USMCA.

4:33 p.m. Senator Carper spoke on USMCA.

3:28 p.m. Senators Wyden, Grassley, and Brown spoke about USMCA.

3:18 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about Iran.

3:03 p.m. Senator Barasso spoke about the impeachment process.

2:40 p.m. Senator Grassley paid tribute to Chris Allen, a member of the Finance Committee Staff.

2:30 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about Puerto Rico.

2:19 p.m. By voice vote, the Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to H.R. 5430-USMCA. There will be 20 hours of debate evenly divided.

2:11 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on the USMCA.

1:30 p.m. Senator Casey spoke on Iran.

1:11 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke about impeachment and on election security.

1:02 p.m. Senator Gardner spoke about USMCA.

12:27 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about Iran.

12:01 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about impeachment and USMCA.

11:03 a.m. Minority Leader Schume spoke about impeachment.

10:37 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the trade deal.

10:15 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about impeachment, trade and student debt.

10:04 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about impeachment. He spoke about the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. He secured second reading for S. 3193, to amend the Controlled Substances Act.

10:03 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about Iran.

***

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will be in a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 Roll call votes are possible during Wednesday’s session of the Senate.