Monday, May 18, 2020

6:43 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will next convene on Tuesday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. Following leader remarks the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Scott H. Rash, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona.

At 11:45 there will be a confirmation vote on the Rash nomination.

Following the confirmation vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. for weekly policy lunches.

At 2:30, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of James E. Trainor III, TX, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission.

If cloture is invoked, a confirmation vote on the Trainor nomination will occur at 4:30 p.m.

During wrap-up:
PN 1715 – Brian D. Miller, of Virginia, to be Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (new position), was discharged from committee and placed on the Executive Calendar.

6:12 p.m. Senators Ernst and Braun paid tribute to former Senator Tom Coburn.

6:13 p.m. Cloture was invoked 67-21. Senators voting NO: Blumenthal, Booker, Cantwell, Casey, Durbin, Gillibrand, Harris, Heinrich, Hirono, Klobuchar, Menendez, Merkley, Murray, Reed, Schatz, Schumer, Stabenow, Udall, Van Hollen, Warren, And Wyden. Senators NOT voting: Alexander, Brown, Burr, Cardin, Leahy, Markey, Moran, Peters, Rounds, Rubio, Sanders, and Whitehouse.

6:13 p.m. Cloture was invoked 67-21. Senators voting NO: Blumenthal, Booker, Cantwell, Casey, Durbin, Gillibrand, Harris, Heinrich, Hirono, Klobuchar, Menendez, Merkley, Murray, Reed, Schatz, Schumer, Stabenow, Udall, Van Hollen, Warren, And Wyden. Senators NOT voting: Alexander, Brown, Burr, Cardin, Leahy, Markey, Moran, Peters, Rounds, Rubio, Sanders, and Whitehouse.

5:30 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the Rash nomination.

5:13 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on coronavirus pandemic.

4:54 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke on the coronavirus pandemic.

4:30 p.m. Senators Grassley and Booker spoke on Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act.

4:20 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the coronavirus pandemic.

3:35 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the coronavirus pandemic.

3:17 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the coronavirus response. He spoke about the firing of the inspector general for the State Department.

3:03 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the coronavirus pandemic.

3:02 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about high school graduates.

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #564, Scott H. Rash, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona. At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Rash nomination.