Thursday, June 18, 2020

4:03 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 3:00 on Monday, June 22. They will resume consideration of Cory Wilson to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit. A cloture vote on the nomination will occur at 5:30 p.m.

During wrap up:

  • Confirmed- Sethuraman Panchanathan, of Arizona, to be Director of the National Science Foundation for a term of six years
  • Confirmed- Peter M. McCoy, Jr., of South Carolina, to be United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina
  • Confirmed- Vincent F. DeMarco, of New York, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of New York
  • Confirmed- William Zollars, of Kansas, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service
  • Confirmed- Donald Lee Moak, of Florida, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service
  • Agreed to-S.Res. 616-June 12 as Women’s Veteran appreciation day
  • Agreed to-S. Res. 630-June 20 as American Eagle Day
  • Agreed to-S. Res. 631-honoring David Doran

2:57 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke about the pandemic and the effect on the Energy industry and also spoke about the American Energy Innovation Act. She also spoke about policing reforms.

2:23 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about Flag Day.

2:22 p.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on the nomination of Cory Wilson to be a Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit.

2:21 p.m. The nomination of Justin Walker was confirmed by a vote of 51-42. Republicans voting no: Collins. Not voting: Manchin, Markey, Murray, Rosen, Sanders, Sinema and Sullivan.

1:40 p.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of Justin Walker to be US Circuit Judge for the DC Circuit.

1:34 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about the Supreme Court decision on DACA.

1:24 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about S.Res. 623- honoring Otto Warmbier and condemning the North Korean regime for their continued human rights abuses. The resolution was agreed to by voice vote.

1:00 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about inspectors general.

12:42 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the Supreme Court decision on DACA.

12:26 p.m. Senator Booked asked unanimous consent to proceed to a bill that would remove confederate statues from the Capitol. Senator Blunt objected and gave his reasons on the complexities of passing the bill.

12:23 p.m. Senator Shumer spoke about the confederate statues in the Capitol.

12:21 p.m. Senator Booker spoke about the confederate statues in the Capitol.

12:08 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about the Equality Act.

12:05 p.m. Senator Hawley spoke about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

12:00 p.m. Senator Lee spoke on why he objected to proceeding to the Equality Act.

11:57 a.m. Senator Merkley spoke about the Equality Act. He asked unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the bill and that it be passed. Senator Lee objected.

11:50 a.m. Senator Booker spoke about the Equality Act.

11:42 a.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke about the Supreme Court decision on LGBTQ discrimination.

11:22 a.m. Senators Stabenow, Wyden and Bennet spoke about the Equality Act.

11:14 a.m. Senator Baldwin spoke about the Supreme Court decision on LGBTQ discrimination.

11:00 a.m. Senator Merkley spoke about the Supreme Court decision on LGBTQ discrimination and the Equality Act.

10:35 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the Supreme Court’s DACA decision.

10:18 a.m. DL Schumer spoke on the Supreme Court’s DACA decision, on police reform, and on China policy.

10:04 a.m. ML McConnell spoke racial justice proposals, on Hong Kong policy, and supporting the Walker nomination.

ML McConnell continued the Rule 14 process on S. 3985, a bill to improve and reform policing practices, accountability, and transparency. The bill was placed on the calendar.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about Iowa’s high graduation rate this year.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Justin Walker to be a Circuit Judge for the DC Circuit, post cloture.

The confirmation vote on the Walker nomination is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.