Wednesday, October 21, 2020

7:24 p.m. The Senate recessed until 12:00 p.m on Thursday, October 22. They will resume consideration of the nomination of Michael Jay Newman to be a US District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. A cloture vote on the nomination will occur at 1:00 p.m.

6:53 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about the Barrett nomination and also about Covid relief. He asked unanimous consent to bring up and pass his bill about utilities. Senator Cramer objected.

6:45 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the Barrett nomination.

6:35 p.m. Senator Loeffler spoke supporting the Barrett nomination.

6:35 p.m. By a tally of 53-41 the Senate agreed to the motion table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair in relation to the Schumer compound motion to adjourn. This was a party line vote.

Senators not voting: Feinstein, Harris, Manchin, Sanders, Sinema and Wyden.

5:53 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the Supreme Court nomination process and that the Democrats will boycott the Judiciary business meeting. Senator Schumer moved to adjourn until November 9th, the Chair ruled it was out of order. DL Schumer appealed the ruling of the chair. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair.

5:39 p.m. Senator Udall spoke about covid relief.

5:27 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about a covid relief bill.

5:07 p.m. Senators Hoeven and Cramer gave a tribute to State Senator Mark Andrews.

4:51 p.m. Senator Smith spoke against the Barrett nomination.

4:36 p.m. Senator Hawley spoke about the big technology firms. Senator Hawley asked unanimous consent to call up and pass S. 3983,
Limiting Section 230 Immunity to Good Samaritans Act. Senator Schatz objected.

3:15 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about presiding officers wearing masks and on Medicare. Senator Brown asked unanimous consent to call up and pass his bill to provide emergency rental assistance and rental market stabilization, to provide a temporary moratorium on eviction filings. Senator Crapo objected.

3:04 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about unemployment insurance. he asked unanimous consent to bring up and pass his bill. Senator Thune objected.

3:00 p.m. Senators Blackburn, Sullivan, Hyde-Smith, Capito, Wicker, Hoeven and Scott (FL) spoke supporting the Barrett nomination.

2:57 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke supporting the Barrett nomination.

2:52 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke supporting the Barrett nomination.

2:32 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke about Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.

2:18 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about tax cuts.

2:18 p.m. By a tally of 51-44 the Senate agreed to the motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair in relation to the Schumer point of order (the ruling of the Chair stands).

This was a party line vote. Senators not voting: Harris, Manchin, Murkowski, Paul and Sinema.

1:44 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair.

1:40 p.m. DL Schumer made a point of order regarding the consideration of Supreme Court nominees just weeks from an election. The Chair did not sustain the point of order. Senator Schumer moved to appeal the ruling of the Chair and moved to table the appeal.

1:38 p.m. By a tally of 51-44 cloture was not invoked on the McConnell amendment #2652 (Republican Coronavirus proposal), in relation to the House message to accompany S.178 (shell). This was a party line vote.

1:02 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on McConnell amendment #2652 (Republican Coronavirus proposal), in relation to the House message to accompany S.178 (shell).

12:57 p.m. Senator Tillis spoke supporting law enforcement.

12:51 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about the toll of the Coronavirus upon the American public.

12:41 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke against the Republican Covid proposal.

12:36 p.m. Senator Thune spoke against Democrats blocking their Covid relief package.

12:20 p.m. DL Schumer spoke against the Republican Covid proposal.

12:03 p.m. ML McConnell spoke about the Republican Covid relief package. ML McConnell asked u.c. to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the cloture motion on the motion to concur w/amendment #2652.

12:00 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about family farmers.

*****

The Senate will return from recess at 12:00 noon.

At that time, resume consideration of the nomination of Michael Newman to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. Cloture has been filed on the Newman nomination.