7:12 p.m. The Senate adjourned. The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday and will resume consideration of S.J. Res. 50, to disapprove of a measure relating to tax credits, with a vote at 2:45 p.m. Following disposition of S.J. Res. 50, the Senate will resume consideration  of the appropriations minibus, H.R.3055.

6:55 p.m. Senator Bennet spoke against the tax measure.

6:50 p.m. Senator Merkley paid tribute to his departing staffer Kaelin Gaffney

6:30 p.m. Senator Moran spoke about appropriations. During wrap-up, the Senate:

— Acted under Rule XIV to place directly on the Senate Calendar  S.J.Res. 59, expressing the sense of Congress disapproving of the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Syria and Turkey’s incursion into Syria.

— Passed by consent S.Res 373, expressing support for September to be Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

— Passed by voice vote S.1590, to amend the State Department authorizing statute to take action against criminal trafficking in wildlife.

6:14 p.m. Senator Jones spoke about a bill relating to college expenses.

6:05 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about aid to college students.

4:58 p.m. Senator Reed spoke about the appropriation for Labor, HUD and related agencies. He spoke about Russian efforts to influence U.S. elections.

4:55 p.m. The Senate consented to Senator Durbin’s motion to proceed to S.J.Res. 50, to disapprove of a measure relating to tax credits. There will be up to 10 hours of debate.

4:50 p.m. Senator Leah spoke about appropriations.

4:44 p.m. ML McConnell moved to proceed to Calendar #141, H.R.3055, CJS, Ag, Interior, MilConVA, THUD Appropriations by voice vote. Senate Amendment #948 and Senate Amendment #950 are now pending to Calendar #141, H.R.3055, CJS, Ag, Interior, MilConVA, THUD Appropriations.

4:25 p.m. Senator Collins spoke supporting H.R. 3055, an act making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes (the legislative vehicle for minibus II, with the THUD, Agriculture, Interior, and CJS Senate texts).

4:10 p.m. Senator Enzi spoke about pension plans.

4:02 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about health care.

3:59 p.m. Senator Cotton paid tribute to an Arkansan former MIA from the Korean War whose remains were recently discovered.

3:57 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the motion to proceed to HR 3055, 92-2.

Senators voting against: Blackburn and Paul.

Senators not voting: Democrats Booker, Harris, Whitehouse and Warren; Independent Sanders; Republican Isakson.

3:32 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the motion to proceed to HR 3055.

3:23 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on the situation in Syria and asked UC to take up and pass the House passed bill, HJ Res 77; Senator Paul objected.

3:22 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Bremberg nomination 50-44.
YEAs 50 Republicans.
NAYs 41 Democrats, Independent King, Republicans Collins and Murkowski.
NOT VOTING: Democrats Booker, Harris, Whitehouse and Warren;  independent Sanders; Republican Isakson.

2:45 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva.

2:30 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke on HR 3055.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from recess.  Senator Shelby spoke on the appropriations process and HR 3055.

1:21 p.m. The Senate recessed until 2:15 p.m.

1:20 p.m. By a vote of 50 to 43, the Senate invoked cloture on the Bremberg nomination.

YEAs 50 Republicans.
NAYs 40 Democrats, independent King, Republicans Collins and Murkowski.
NOT VOTING: Democrats Bennet, Booker, Harris, Whitehouse and Warren; independent Sanders; Republican Isakson.

12:55 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the Bremberg nomination.

12:54 p.m. By a tally of 91 to 2, the Senate ratified Treaty Document #116-1, Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of the Republic of North Macedonia. Senators Lee and Paul voted against.

YEAs: 51 Republicans, 39 Democrats, independent King.
NAYs: Republicans Lee and Paul.
NOT VOTING: Democrats Bennet, Booker, Harris, Markey and Warren;  independent Sanders; Republican Isakson.

12:20 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on ratification of Treaties Calendar #5, Treaty Document #116-1, Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of the Republic of North Macedonia (requires 2/3).

11:58 a.m. Senator Johnson spoke supporting ratification of Treaty 116-1.

11:52 a.m. Senator Paul spoke against the ratification of Treaty 116-1.

11:30 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke on Russian interference in U.S. elections. Senator Durbin asked u.c. to call up and pass S 1540, Election Security Act. Senator Kennedy objected.

11:06 a.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke urging action on election security legislation. Senator Klobuchar asked u.c. to call up and pass S 1356, Honest Ads Act. Senator Thune objected.

10:46 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke abuts opioid drug epidemic.

10:39 a.m. Senator Perdue spoke about health care legislation.

10:25 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about pending legislation, including appropriations. He spoke about Syria.

10:14 -Majority Leader spoke about nominations. He spoke about the situation in Syria.

10:03 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the Marine Corporal Harold Keller of Iowa, one of those who planted the American flag on Iwo Jima, during the World War II battle.

***

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume post-cloture consideration of the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of the Republic of North Macedonia (Treaty No.116-1).

At noon, there will be two votes:

• Passage of the resolution to ratify the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of the Republic of North Macedonia (Treaty No.116-1).
• Cloture on the nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva.

The Senate will recess for weekly caucus luncheons from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m.

Afternoon roll call votes expected: confirmation of the Bremberg nomination and cloture on the motion to proceed to the fiscal 2020 “minibus” appropriation, H.R.3055, for the Departments of Commerce and Justice and related agencies (and including the texts for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Interior, Commerce and Justice).

 Other votes are possible today.

Cloture has ripened for H.R.2740, the fiscal 2020 appropriation for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related agencies (and including texts for spending on  defense, foreign operations, energy and water).

6:19 p.m. The Senate adjourned, next votes to occur at Noon on Tuesday, October 22nd on:

1. On the resolution of ratification for Executive Calendar #5, Treaty Document #116-1,  Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of the Republic of North Macedonia
2.  Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #441, Andrew P. Bremberg, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva. If cloture is invoked on the Bremberg nomination, a vote is expected to occur early afternoon Tuesday.

6:18 p.m. Senator Hoeven wrapped up for the evening. Senate passed the following by unanimous consent:

Agreed to S.Con.Res.27, providing for the use of the catafalque situated in the Exhibition Hall of the Capitol Visitors’ Center.

Adopted S.Res.368, Legal counsel

Passed Calendar #200, H.R.150, Grant Reporting Efficiency and Agreements Transparency Act of 2019

Completed the Rule 14 process to place S.2644 (Turkey sanctions) on the Legislative Calendar of Business

6:17 p.m. Cloture was invoked on Executive Calendar #5, regarding the accession of Macedonia to NATO, 8x-2.

Senators voting against: 2 Republicans: Lee and Paul.

Senators not voting: 9 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Harris, Hassan, Klobuchar, Schatz, Stabenow, Warren and Whitehouse; 4 Republicans: Isakson, Kennedy, Murkowski and Toomey; 1 Independent: Sanders.

5:28 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on Executive Calendar #5, regarding the accession of Macedonia to NATO.

5:18 p.m. Senator Moran spoke about the appropriation process.

5:05 p.m. Senator Casey spoke about impeachment.

4:34 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke about the appropriations process, the G-7 Summit, and the situation in Syria.

3:48 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about healthcare.

3:21 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the impeachment inquiry and the USMCA. S.2644 had it’s 2nd reading to place it on the Legislative Calendar.

3:20 p.m. S.Con. Res. 27, Providing for the use of the catafalque situated in Exhibition Hall of the Capitol Visitors’ Center, was adopted by unanimous consent.

3:03 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke The Whisteblowers Program Improvement Act.

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #5, regarding the accession of Macedonia to NATO.

At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the treaty.

Majority Leader McConnell has also filed cloture on the following:

1.       Executive Calendar #441, the nomination of Andrew Bremberg to the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva.

2.       Motion to proceed to the vehicle for the Senate’s “domestic minibus”, H.R.3055. The House bill is Commerce, Justice, Science, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2020.

3.       Motion to proceed to the vehicle for the “Defense minibus”, H.R.2740. The House bill is the  Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2020.

Republican Senator Collins voted in favor.

Democrats voting against: Senators Jones, Manchin and Sinema.

Senators not voting: 3 Democrats: Booker, Harris, and Klobuchar; 2 Republicans: Alexander and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

7:11 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will convene at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 17. Following leader remarks the EPW Committee will be discharge from further consideration of S.J. Res. 53, the Affordable Clean Energy CRA. If the motion to proceed is made and agreed to, the time until noon will be equally divided.

2 roll call votes scheduled:

12:00 Noon:

     Passage of S.J. Res. 53, the Affordable Clean Energy CRA.

1:45 p.m.:

     Passage of S.J. Res. 54, re: the National Emergency Declaration of objections of the President notwithstanding.

During wrap-up:

• Began the Rule XIV process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business:
  • J. Res. 58, Expressing support for freedom of Conscience.
  • J. Res. 77, Opposing the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria.
• Res. 358 – Designating the week beginning October 20, 2019, as National Character Counts Week, was adopted by unanimous consent.
• Res. 356 – Designating September 4, 2019, as National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day, was adopted by unanimous consent.
• Res. 324 – Designating September 29, 2019 as National Urban Wildlife Refuge Day, was adopted by unanimous consent.
• Res. 359 – Authorizing the use of the atrium in the Philip A. Hart Senate Office Building for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day a semiannual event for the Drug Enforcement Administration

****

7:03 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about the House impeachment inquiry.

6:44 p.m. Senator Capito spoke about coal, pension, and the Volk nomination.

6:43 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Kovner nomination 88-3.

Senators voting against: Gillibrand, Heinrich and Markey.

Senators not voting:  5 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Alexander and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

6:16 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the nomination of Rachel Kovner to be a District Judge for the Eastern District of the New York.

6:15 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of David Novak by a vote of 89-3.

Senators voting against: 3 Democrats: Gillibrand, Markey and Wyden.

Not voting: 5 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Alexander and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

5:57 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the nomination of David Novak to be District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.

5:57 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Eskridge nomination, 61-31.

Democrats voting YES: Cardin, Carper, Coons, Feinstein, Kaine, Murphy, Shaheen, Warner and Whitehouse.

Not voting: 5 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Alexander and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

5:38 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the nomination of Charles Eskridge to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.

5:37 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Frank Volk to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia by a tally of 92-0.

Not voting: 5 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Alexander and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

5:18 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on Confirmation of Frank Volk to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia.

5:17 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Barbara Barrett to be Secretary of the Air Force by a vote of 85-7.

Senators voting against: Blumenthal, Duckworth, Gillibrand, Markey, Merkley, Smith and Wyden.

Not voting: 5 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Alexander and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

4:43 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Barbara Barrett to be secretary of the Air Force.

4:34 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke supporting the nomination of Barbara Barrett.

4:28 p.m. Senator Carper spoke supporting S.J.Res. 53.

4:18 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke supporting the protesters in Hong Kong.

3:51 p.m. Senators Cardin, Van Hollen, and Whitehouse spoke about S.J.Res. 53.

3:40 p.m. Senator Sasse spoke supporting the USMCA and on religious intolerance.

3:28 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke supporting the USMCA.

3:10 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about the Kurds in Turkey.

2:41 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke on President Trump, foreign policy and the impeachment inquiry.

2:37 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke in favor of the Volk nomination.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from recess.  Senator Scott of Florida gave his maiden speech.

1:00 p.m. The Senate recessed until 2:15 to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons.

12:51 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about pensions and asked unanimous consent to adopt S.2254, Butch Lewis Act 2019. Senator Grassley objected.

12:50 p.m. Cloture was invoked on Rachel P. Rovner to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York by a vote of 85 to 3.

Senators Gillibrand, Heinrich and Wyden voted against.

Senators not voting: Alexander, Bennet, Booker, Harris, Hirono, Inhofe, Isakson, Johnson, Klobuchar, Sanders, Stabenow and Warren.

12:25 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Rachel P. Rovner to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

12:24 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Novak nomination by a vote of 86 to 4. Senators Gillibrand, Heinrich, Markey, and Wyden voted NO. Senators Alexander, Bennet, Booker, Harris, Hirono, Isakson, Johnson, Klobuchar, Sanders, and Warren did not vote.

12:03 p.m. The Senate is now voting on David John Novak to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.

12:02 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Eskridge nomination by a vote of 61 to 29. Senators Cardin, Carper, Feinstein, Shaheen, Sinema, Warner, and Whitehouse voted YES. Senators Alexander, Bennet, Booker, Harris, Hirono, Isakson, Johnson, Klobuchar, Sanders, and Warren did not vote.

11:43 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #363 Charles R. Eskridge III to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.

11:41 a.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Frank Volk to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia by a tally of 90-0.

11:08 a.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on Frank Volk to be District Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia.

10:47 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration and asked unanimous consent to adopt S. 2603. Senator Kennedy objected.

10:39 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the Barrett nomination and the situation in Syria.

10:21 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the impeachment inquiry. He spoke about the situation in Syria. He spoke about appropriations. He spoke about troubled pension plans.

10:07 a.m. On the occasion of the Stanley Cup’s exhibition in the Capitol, Senator Blunt paid tribute to St. Louis sports teams, including hockey’s championship-winning Blues and baseball’s Cardinals.

9:48 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about impeachment.

9:38 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about nominations an about the House impeachment inquiry.

9:32 a.m. Senator Toomey paid tribute to Americans of the Sikh religion and to the visiting chaplain, Gianni Sukhvinder.

*****

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. and will resume consideration of Barbara Barrett’s nomination to be secretary of the Air Force, post-cloture.

At 11 a.m., the Senate will begin these nomination votes:

1. Motion to invoke cloture on Frank Volk, to be District Judge Southern District of West Virginia
2. Motion to invoke cloture on Charles Eskridge, to be District Judge of Southern District of Texas
3. Motion to invoke cloture on David Novak, to be District Judge of Eastern District of Virginia
4. Motion to invoke cloture on Rachel Kovner, to be District Judge of Eastern District of New York

The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for the weekly caucus meetings.

At 4:15 p.m., the Senate will begin these confirmation votes:

 Barrett, to be Secretary of the Air Force

1. Frank Volk, to be District Judge Southern District of West Virginia
2. Charles Eskridge, to be District Judge of Southern District of Texas
3. David Novak, to be District Judge of Eastern District of Virginia
4. Rachel Kovner, to be District Judge of Eastern District of New York

6:18 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2019. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #422, Barbara Barrett, to be Secretary of the Air Force, post-cloture. At 11:00 a.m., the cloture motions on the Volk, Eskridge, Novak, and Kovner nominations will ripen and the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nominations.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 pm until 2:15 pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

At 4:15 pm on Wednesday, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Barrett, Volk, Eskridge, Novak, and Kovner nominations.

6:10 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about the music industry in Nashville.

6:08 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Barrett nomination by a tally of 84-7. Senators Blumenthal, Duckworth, Gillibrand, Markey, Merkley, Smith, and Wyden voted no.

Senators not voting: Alexander, Bennet, Booker, Coons, Harris, Hirono, Klobuchar, Sanders and Warren.

5:30 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on the motion to invoke cloture on  Executive Calendar #422, the nomination of Barbara Barrett to be secretary of the Air Force.

5:00 p.m.Senator Whitehouse spoke on retirees in fear of losing their pensions and H.R. 397, the Rehabilitation of Multiemployer pension Act.

4:40 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke on retirees in fear of losing their pensions and H.R. 397, the Rehabilitation of Multiemployer pension Act.

4:30 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke on retirees in fear of losing their pensions and H.R. 397, the Rehabilitation of Multiemployer pension Act.

4:25 p.m. Senator Brown spoke on retirees in fear of losing their pensions and H.R. 397, the Rehabilitation of Multiemployer pension Act.

4:07 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about whistleblowers.

3:50 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the Ukraine episode at the center of the impeachment inquiry. He said Democrats will use a special procedure to force votes on health care, taxes, and climate change.

He spoke about the situation in Syria.

3:30 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the presidential  impeachment effort in the House. He spoke about the Senate agenda, including nominations, appropriations, and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

He voiced “grave concern” about the situation in Syria.

He moved under Rule XIV to place on the calendar H.R. 2593, the continuing resolution on federal spending for fiscal year 2020.

3:07 p.m. Senator Tillis paid tribute to the visiting chaplain, Pastor Andrew Brunson of North Carolina.

3:02 p.m. Senator Grassley noted the anniversary of the U.S. Navy. He paid tribute to former Ambassador Ken Quinn for his fight against hunger.

***

The Senate will convene at 3 p.m., and will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #422,  the nomination of Barbara Barrett to be secretary of the Air Force.

At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Barrett nomination.

Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations:

1. Executive Calendar #359, Frank Volk to be a district court judge for the Southern District of West Virginia;

2. Executive Calendar #363, Charles Eskridge to be a district court judge for the Southern District of Texas;

3. Executive Calendar #328, David Novak to be a district court judge for the Eastern District of Virginia;

4. Executive Calendar #348, Rachel Kovner to be a district court judge for the Eastern District of New York.

The Senate convened at 2:15 p.m. for a pro forma session.  No business was conducted and Senator Boozman presided.

The Senate convened for a pro forma at 12:00 p.m. No business was conducted and Senator Cassidy presided.

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 4:30 p.m. Senator Lee presided and no business was conducted.

The Senate convened at noon for a pro forma session. No business was conducted. Senator Hawley presided.

The Senate met in a pro forma session at 11:40 a.m. Senator Tim Scott presided and no business was conducted.