Wednesday, March 18, 2020

5:59 p.m. The Senate adjourned until noon on March 19th.

5:58 p.m. ML McConnell said the Senate will continue to work on the next bill and Senators should stay close to the Capitol.

5:35 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about the Coronavirus.

5:14 p.m. Senator Coons spoke about the Coronavirus.

4:50 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the Coronavirus.

4:37 p.m. Senator Moran spoke about the Coronavirus.

4:16 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about the Coronavirus.

4:14 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about the Coronavirus.

4:13 p.m. ML McConnell stated the Senate will remain in session to deal with the Coronavirus response.

4:10 p.m. The Senate passed H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act by a tally of 90-8.

Senators voting against: Blackburn, Inhofe, Johnson, Lankford, Lee, Paul, Sasse, and Scott (SC).

Not voting: Gardner and Scott (FL).

3:31 p.m. The Johnson amendment was not agreed to 50-48, (60 vote threshold).

Senators in favor: 49 Republicans, 2 Democrats: Manchin and Sinema.

Senators opposed: 43 Democrats, 3 Republicans: Collins, Murkowski and Romney; 2 Independents: King and Sanders.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Gardner and Scott of Florida.

2:54 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Johnson amendment #1558.

2:53 p.m. The Murray amendment was not agreed to on a party line tally of 47-51. Senators Gardner and Scott of Florida did not vote.

2:04 p.m. Roll call vote began on the Murray amendment, #1559.

2:03 p.m. Senator Gillibrand responded to Senators Johnson and Toomey.

2:01 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke in favor of the Johnson amendment.

1:55 p.m. Senator Johnson spoke on his amendment, #1558.

1:50 p.m. Senator Gillibrand spoke on coronavirus and the Murray amendment.

1:43 p.m. Senator Murray spoke on her amendment, #1559.

1:00 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about coronavirus.

12:53 p.m. Senator Hassan spoke on coronavirus.

12:52 p.m The Paul amendment was not agreed to 3-95.

Senators voting in favor: 3 Republicans: Braun, Lee and Paul.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Gardner and Scott of Florida.

12:02 p.m. The Senate is voting on the Paul amendment to the House-passed coronavirus response bill.

At 2 p.m., the Senate will begin votes on the Murray amendment, the Johnson amendment, and the underlying bill, H.R.6201 — as amended, if amended.

Each measure requires 60 votes for passage. Each vote will be 30 minutes.

11:16 a.m. Senator Merkley spoke on coronavirus.

11:13 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about coronavirus.

10:55 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke about coronavirus.

10:40 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about a constituent who passed away from the coronavirus recently.

10:09 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about coronavirus. He said the Senate will vote later today on the House-passed virus-response bill. He added that he won’t adjourn the Senate until it passes “a far bolder package” of economic relief. The leader said the prescribed time for Senate votes will be extended from the customary 15 to 30 minutes. Senators will be encouraged to practice social distancing.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about virus-related obstacles to the trade deal with Mexico and Canada. He said the Senate will vote later today on the House-passed virus-response bill. He said he will not adjourn the Senate until it passes another, “a far bolder package” — for small business and others.

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

The Senate will attempt to consider H.R.6201, an act making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes.

This is a spending bill for efforts to combat the coronavirus.

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