Tuesday, March 2, 2021

7:11 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The Senate is expected to move to proceed to H.R. 1319, an act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to Title 2 of S.Con.Res. 5 during Wednesday’s session. A vote on the motion to proceed is expected but has not been set.

7:09 p.m. The Senate convened. ML Schumer asked for the second reading of H.R. 5 and H.R. 1319. ML Schumer completed the Rule 14 process and the bills are placed in the calendar.

7:07 p.m. ML Schumer asked for the first reading of H.R. 5, an act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity and sexual orientation and H.R. 1319, an act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to Title 2 of S.Con.Res. 5. The bills were read for the first time. The Senate adjourned until 7:09 p.m. today.

7:06 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Cecilia Rouse to be Chairman of the Council of Economic Adviser by a tally of 95-4.

Voting No: Senators Cotton, Paul, Scott of Florida and Tuberville.

5:37 p.m. The Senate began a vote on confirmation of the nomination of Cecilia Rouse to be Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors.

5:34 p.m. Senator Braun asked u.c. to call up and pass S. 294, relating to parental rights of children’s medical decisions. Senator Hirono objected.

4:02 p.m. Senators Daines, Hoeven, Marshall, Tillis, Ernst, Young, Lankford, Barrasso, Grassley and Braun spoke on the Covid relief plan.

4:02 p.m. Senator Capito paid tribute to West Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore Donna Boley, before discussing the Covid relief plan.

3:48 p.m. Senator Carper objected to Senator Lee’s request.

3:42 p.m. Senator Lee spoke on vaccinations of children 11 and older in the District of Columbia and asked UC to pass S.J Res 7, disapproving the DC Council in approving the Minor Consent for Vaccinations amendment Act of 2020.

3:33 p.m. Senator Brown spoke in favor of the Rouse nomination.

3:32 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Rouse nomination, 94-5.

Voting no: 5 Republicans: Cotton, Lummis, Paul, Scott of Florida and Tuberville.

Not voting 1 Republican: Blackburn.

2:55 p.m. Cloture vote began on the nomination of Cecilia Rouse to be Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors.

2:54 p.m. The Raimondo nomination was confirmed 84-15.

Senators voting against: 15 Republicans: Barrasso, Cotton, Cramer, Cruz, Hagerty, Hawley, Hoeven, Kennedy, Lummis, Rubio, Sasse, Scott of Florida, Scott of South Carolina, Shelby and Tuberville.

Not voting: 1 Republican: Blackburn.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from recess and began a vote on
confirmation of Gina Marie Raimondo to be Secretary of Commerce.

12:34 p.m. The Senate recessed until 2:15 p.m.

12:20 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about Texas Independence Day.

12:07 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke about the COVID package.

11:49 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the COVID package. He spoke about Texas Independence Day.

11:31 a.m. Senator Cantwell spoke in favor of the Raimondo nomination.

11:17 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the COVID package.

11:06 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the COVID package.

10:56 a.m. Minority Leader McConnell spoke about the COVID package. He spoke about Iran.

10:42 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke about nominations, the COVID relief package and voting rights.

The Senate will convene at 10:30 a.m. and will resume consideration of the nomination of Gina Marie Raimondo to be Secretary of Commerce, post-cloture.

  • At 12:15 p.m., Senator Cruz will be recognized for up to 30 minutes. Following his remarks, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons.
  • At 2:15 p.m., the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes:
  • Confirmation of the nomination of Gina Marie Raimondo to be Secretary of Commerce.
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Cecilia Elena Rouse to be Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.
  • If cloture is invoked on the Rouse nomination, a roll call vote on confirmation of the Rouse nomination is expected to occur during Tuesday’s session of the Senate.