The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 3:00 p.m. No business was conducted. Majority Leader McConnell presided.

6:42 p.m. The Senate adjourns.

6:41 p.m. Senator Alexander adjourns the Senate. There will be a pro forma on Thursday September 20th at 3:00 p.m. Following the pro forma, adjourn until Monday September 24th at 3:00 p.m.; with two roll call votes at 5:30 p.m. that evening, see below.

6:17 p.m. Senators Hatch and Alexander spoke on and passed by unanimous consent the Music Modernization Act.

5:58 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell does some wraps up of Senate business

Confirmed by voice vote:

• John Whitley to be Assistant Secretary of the Army.
• Charles Verdon to be Deputy Administrator for defense programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Agreed to by unanimous consent:

• S Con Res 47, making a correction in the enrollment of HR 6157.
• S 3479, Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act
• HR 698, the Elkhorn Ranch and White River National Forest Conveyance Act
• S Res 638, designating September 22, 2018 as “National Falls Prevention Awareness Day” to raise awareness and encourage the prevention of falls among older adults.
• S Res 639, designating the week of September 17, 2018, as “National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week.
• S Res 640, recognizing September 25^th as National Voter Registration Day.

Agreed to by voice vote:

• HR 46, directing the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York.

5:01 p.m.Senator Cornyn spoke on the Kavanugh nomination and the recently passed opioid bill.

4:45 p.m. Senator Donnelly spoke on suicide prevention.

4:30 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke about the continuing resolution.

4:24 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about water infrastructure.

3:47 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about Stanley Riley the Alaskan of the Week.

2:59 p.m. Senator Jones spoke about historical black colleges and universities.

2:46 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

2:34 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about nominations and the opioid crisis.

2:33 p.m. ML McConnell announced 5:30 p.m. votes for Monday, September 24th:

1. Confirmation of Jackie Wolcott to be Representative of the USA to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
2. Cloture on nomination of Peter Feldman to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (for term expiring).

1:07 p.m. The Senate is in recess until 2:15 p.m.

1:06 p.m. The Senate agreed to the conference report which accompanies H.R. 6157 by a vote of 93-7.

12:45 p.m. The Senate began voting on the conference report which accompanies H.R. 6157.

12:44 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the conference report which accompanies H.R. 6157 by a vote of 92-8.

12:03 p.m. The Senate began voting on cloture for the conference report which accompanies H.R. 6157.

11:55 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke on appropriations.

11:52 a.m. Senator Shelby spoke on appropriations.

11:45 a.m. Senator Lee spoke on abortions.

11:36 a.m. Senator Shaheen spoke on appropriations.

11:22 a.m. Senator Moran spoke on appropriations.

11:11 a.m. Senator Murray spoke about appropriations.

11:01 a.m. Senator Blunt spoke about appropriations.

10:48 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the Kavanaugh nomination. He spoke about the president’s release of intelligence findings.

10:41 a.m. Senator Nelson spoke about the red tide in Florida.

10:13 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the 1991 hearing of Anita Hill’s allegations against the Supreme Court nominee, Clarence Thomas. He spoke about the Kavanaugh proceedings.

10:12 a.m. The Senate agreed to vote at noon on the cloture motion for the conference report on the minibus spending bill. Further, the Senate agreed that if cloture is invoked, post-cloture time will be considered expired and a vote on passage will follow.

10:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Kavanaugh nomination. He spoke about the passage of the opioid addiction bill. He spoke about the pending “minibus” defense spending measure.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will consider the invocation of cloture for the conference report to accompany H.R. 6157, the “minibus” 2019 appropriations bill for the Defense Department and other agencies.

Cloture was filed on the spending measure Monday evening.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. for weekly policy lunches.

7:18 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10 a.m. Tuesday.

7:16 p.m. Senator Cantwell spoke about the Kavanaugh nomination.

7:14 p.m. Senator Rounds spoke in memory of South Dakota fire fighter Dave Fisher.

7:01 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on the Conference Report to accompany H.R.6157, Minibus Appropriations (DoD/LHHS).

7:00 p.m. The Senate passed H.R. 6 Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act by a vote of 99-1. Senator Lee voted no.

6:35 p.m. The Senate began voting on passage of H.R. 6. Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act.

6:34 p.m. By a vote of 98 to 2, the drug price bill passed. NAY: Lee and Paul.

6:20 p.m. The vote has begun on passage of the drug price bill.

6:15 p.m. By a vote of 11 to 89, the Lee Amendment failed (#4011 to S. 2554, the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act). YEAS: Republicans Crapo, Daines, Flake, Hatch, Hyde-Smith, Johnson, Lee, Risch, Sasse, Scott and Toomey. NAYS: 47 Democrats, 40 Republicans, both independents.

5:43 p.m. The Senate began voting on adoption of Lee amendment #4011 to S.2554.

5:41 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act.

5:36 p.m. Senator Lee spoke about his amendment to S. 2554.

5:28 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke about the opioid crisis and Jesse’s Law.

5:14 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the opioid epidemic and asked u.c. that when the Senate proceeds to S. 2554, Amendment 4011 be made pending.

5:04 p.m. Senator Cantwell spoke about the opioid crisis.

4:55 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the Patient Right to Know Drug Act.

4:48 p.m. Senator McCaskill spoke about the Patient Right to Know Drug Act and the opioid crisis.

4:35 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act.

4:32 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke about the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act.

4:15 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about the opioid crisis.

4:02 p.m. Senator Schumer  spoke about the Kavanaugh nomination.

3:43 p.m. Senator Daines spoke about the opioid crisis.

3:33 p.m. ML McConnell spoke on Hurricane Florence on H.R. 6 and S.2554, and on the Kavanaugh nomination.

3:22 p.m. Senator Hassan spoke about the opioid crisis.

3:16 p.m. Senator King spoke about the opioid crisis.

3 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about opioid addiction.

2:47 p.m. Senator Peters spoke about opioid addiction.

2:19 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about opioid addiction.

2:04 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke in observance of Constitution Day. He spoke about the signing of certain tariff measures. He spoke about the pending measure to combat opioid addiction.

***

The Senate  will convene at 2:00 p.m. and will proceed to the consideration of H.R.6, with debate time on H.R.6 (Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act) and S.2554 (Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act) running concurrently.

Three roll call votes at 5:30 p.m.:

1. Lee amendment #4011 to S. 2554
2. Passage of S. 2554, as amended, if amended
3. Passage of H.R.6, as amended with Alexander amendment #4013

9:45 a.m. The Senate convened in pro forma session, Senator Hatch presiding. No business was transacted.

7:52 p.m. The Senate has adjourned until Thursday, September 13 for a pro forma session only with no business expected to be conducted.

Following the pro forma session, the Senate  will next convene on Monday, September 17^th at 2:00 p.m. and will proceed to the consideration of H.R.6, with debate time on H.R.6 (Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act) and S.2554 (Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act) running concurrently will resume consideration of H.R. 6 and S. 2554 concurrently with 3 votes at 5:30 p.m.:

1. Lee amendment #4011 to 2554
2. Passage of 2554, as amended, if amended
3. Passage of R.6, as amended with Alexander amendment #4013

During wrap-up:

• 1050 with Duckworth substitute amendment, To award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the Chinese-American Veterans of World War II, was passed by unanimous consent.
• 3029 with Alexander amendment,  PREEMIE Act, adopted by unanimous consent.
• Res.576, Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day, adopted by unanimous consent.
• Res.525,  National Democracy Month, adopted by voice vote.
• Res.627, National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, adopted by unanimous consent.
• Res.628, Legal Counsel, adopted by unanimous consent.

****

7:43 p.m. Senator Flake began wrap up. Confirmed by voice vote Cal. #933 – Cherith Norman Chalet to be Representative to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform, with the rank of Ambassador. Cal. #934 – Cherith Norman Chalet to be an Alternate Representative of the United States to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the UN, during her tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform.

7:35 p.m. Senator Flake spoke about AG Sessions.

7:13 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the minibus and the opioid bill.

7:12 p.m. The Senate adopted the conference report to accompany H.R. 5895 by a vote of 92 to 5. Senators voting no: Flake, Gillibrand, Markey, Paul, and Warren. Senators Burr, Isakson, and Nelson did not vote.

6:56 p.m. The Senate is now voting on adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R. 5895.

6:52 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about the minibus.

6:50 p.m. Senator Shelby spoke about the minibus.

6:48 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Charles P. Rettig, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue Service by a vote of 64-33. Fifteen Democrats voted yes: Senators Bennet, Brown, Cardin, Casey, Cortez Masto, Donnelly, Hassan, Heitkamp, Jones, Leahy, Manchin, McCaskill, Murphy, Schatz, and Shaheen.

6:31 p.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of the Rettig nomination.

6:30 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Rettig nomination by a vote of 63 to 34.

Senators Isakson, Nelson and Toomey did not vote.

6:00 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Motion to Invoke Cloture on the nomination of Charles Rettig to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

5:46 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke against the Rettig nomination.

5:36 p.m. Senator Bennett spoke about the shrinking economy.

5:35 p.m. Senator Wyden asked u.c. to speak for up to 15 minutes after Senator Bennett.

5:25 p.m. Senator Smith spoke about climate change.

5:17 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about onshore wind energy.

5:01 p.m. Senator Portman spoke on the opioid bill.

4:49 p.m. ML McConnell received unanimous consent to withdraw the cloture motion regarding the conference report to accompany HR 5895 and the Senate will then vote on passage of the conference report to accompany H.R. 5895 after disposition of the Rettig nomination.

3 votes at beginning at 5:30 p.m.

1. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1013, Charles P. Rettig, of California, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue for the term expiring November 12, 2022.
2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1013, Charles P. Rettig, of California, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue for the term expiring November 12, 2022.
3. Adoption of the Conference Report to accompany H.R.5895, Minibus Appropriations (Energy and Water, Leg. Branch, Mil. Con. VA).

4:45 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke about Bosnia and Herzegovina.

4:27 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke against the Rettig nomination.

4:21 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about the minibus.

4:12 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about 9/11 and the Kavanaugh nomination.

3:54 P.M. Senator Cornyn spoke on the opioid bill.

3:42 p.m. Senator Casey spoke on freedom of the press.

3:27 p.m. Senators Daines and Murphy spoke on the conference report.

3:17 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on nominations and specifically the Kavanugh nomination.

3:04 p.m. ML McConnell spoke on the Kavanaugh nomination, the Rettig nomination, the opioid bill, and the economy.  He then filed cloture on the conference report to accompany HR 5895.

3:00 p.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and will resume consideration of the nomination of Charles Rettig to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue, with a cloture vote on the nomination at 5:30 p.m.

The Senate may also consider S 2554 and HR 6 this week.

Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6)/Consent Agreement

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Democratic Leader, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R. 6, at which point Senator Alexander, or his designee, will be recognized in order to offer a substitute amendment (#4013).  There will then be up to one hour for debate, followed by adoption of the substitute amendment and a roll call vote on passage of H.R. 6.

Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act (S. 2554)/Consent Agreement

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Democratic Leader, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of S. 2554, at which point Senator Lee, or his designee, will be recognized to offer an amendment to limit application of the gag clause to self-insured group health plans (#4011).  There will then be up to one hour for debate, followed by a roll call vote on Lee amendment #4011.  Following disposition of the Lee amendment, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on passage of S. 2554.

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 5:00 p.m.  No business was conducted and Senator Burr presided.

The Senate convened at 9:00 a.m. for a pro forma session only. No business was conducted and Senator Kennedy presided.

5:35 p.m. The Senate adjourned. The Senate will next meet in these pro forma sessions, with no business to be conducted:

— Friday, September 7 at 9 a.m.

— Tuesday, September 11 at 5 p.m.

The Senate will next meet in regular session at 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 12 and will resume consideration of cloture for the nomination of Charles Rettig to be commissioner of Internal Revenue. There will be a cloture vote at 5:30 p.m.

5:23 p.m. By voice votes, the Senate agreed to go to conference with the House and named conferees for these appropriations bills:

— The “minibus” for Interior and other agencies, HR. 6147:  Republicans Collins, Lankford, Hoeven, Shelby, Hyde-Smith; Democrats Udall, Reed, Coon, Murphy, Leahy.

— The Defense Department, H.R. 6157:  Republicans Shelby, Blunt, Graham, Moran; Democrats Durbin, Murray, Leahy.

By voice vote, en bloc, the Senate confirmed these nominations to ambassadorships:

— Donald. L. Tapia, Jamaica;

— Michael A. Hammer, Congo;

— Dereck J. Hogan, Moldova;

— Philip S. Kosnett, Kosovo;

— Stephanie Sanders Sullivan, Ghana;

— Judy Rising Reinke, Montenegro.

Also by voice vote, en bloc, the Senate confirmed these nominations of Foreign Service officers to ambassadorships:

— Randy W. Berry, Nepal;

— Donald Lu, Kyrgyz Republic;

–Alaina B. Teplitz, Sri Lanka and Republic of Maldives.

The Senate consented to these measures:

— S. 1417, as amended, on vegetation management;

— H.R. 6124, amending Title II of the Social Security Act;

— S-1586, on the Environmental Sensitivity Index;

— S.Res. 522, making the week of Sept. 23 Gold Stars Remembrance Week;

— S.Res. 603, making this School Bus Safety Month;

— S.Res. 612, making this National Child Awareness Month;

— S.Res. 624, commemorating Arthur Ashe;

— H.R. 302, as amended, on sports medicine.

The Senate consented to consider and vote on S.2554, and the Lee Amendment #4011 at a time to be determined.

The Senate consented to consider and vote on H.R. 6, and the Alexander Amendment #4013 at a time to be determined.

The Senate agreed to meet next week in these pro forma sessions, with no business to be conducted:

— Friday, September 7 at 9 a.m.

— Tuesday, September 11 at 5 p.m.

2:43 p.m. The Senate recessed subject to the call of the chair.

2:42 p.m. S. Res. 623 (To constitute the Majority Party’s membership on certain committees for the 115th Congress or until successors are appointed) was passed by voice vote.

2:41 p.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on the nomination of Charles Rettig to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

2:40 p.m. The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice vote:

• Robert Summerhays to be District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana
• Eric Tostrud to be District Judge for the District of Minnesota
• Alan Albright to be District Judge for Western Texas

2:40 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Charles Williams

2:14 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Dominic Lanza by a vote of 60-35.

1:48 p.m. The Senate voted on the nomination of Dominic Lanza to be District Judge for the District of Arizona.

1:46 p.m. The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice vote:

• Marilyn Horan to be District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania
• William Jung to be District Judge for the Middle District of Florida
• Kari Dooley to be District Judge for the District of Connecticut

1:29 p.m. Senator Portman spoke on the Kavanaugh nomination and opioid overdoses.

1:13 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke on the Kavanaugh nomination.

12:56 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about appropriations.

12:45 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about appropriations.

12:38 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about the Kavanaugh nomination.

12:28 p.m. Senator Cotton endorsed Dominic Lanza’s nomination to the U.S. District Court for Arizona.

12:12 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the Kavanaugh nomination.

12:03 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Kavanaugh nomination. He paid tribute to Walter Oleszek’s 50 years of service in the Library of Congress.

******

The Senate will convene at 12:00 p.m. and proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each.

At least one roll call vote is expected at 1:45 p.m.

At a time to be determined during the week of September 4th, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the following nominations, in the order listed:

o Marilyn Horan for the Western District of Pennsylvania
o William Jung for the Middle District of Florida
o Kari Dooley for the District of Connecticut
o Dominic Lanza for the District of Arizona
o Charles Williams for the Northern District of Iowa
o Robert Summerhays for the Western District of Louisiana
o Eric Tostrud for the District of Minnesota
o Alan Albright for the Western District of Texas

1:17 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 12:00 p.m. Thursday September 6th.

1:08 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about Senator Kyl and later about President Trump.

1:01 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke about his health care bill; and asked unanimous consent to take up and pass S Res 581.  Senator Inhofe objected.

1 p.m. Senator McConnell secured consent for the Senate to adjourn after today’s morning business.

12:57 p.m. Senator Schumer objected to Senator McConnell’s request for the Judiciary Committee to continue to meet during the Senate session.

12:56 p.m. Vice President Pence swore in Senator Kyl.

12:55 p.m. The certificate of Senator Kyle’s appointment was presented to the Senate.

12:54 p.m. By a vote of 85 to 14, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Elad Roisman to the S.E.C.

Senators voting in favor: 50 Republicans, 34 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 13 Democrats: Baldwin, Blumenthal, Booker, Durbin, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Harris, Markey, Menendez, Merkley, Schumer Warren and Whitehouse; 1 Independent: Sanders.

12:03 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell paid tribute to Senator Kyl. He spoke about the agriculture and appropriations bills and about nominations. He spoke about the Kavanaugh nomination. He called for a vote on the Roisman nomination.

***********

The Senate will convene at 12:00 p.m. Following any Leader remarks, resume consideration of Elad Roisman to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission, post-cloture.

At approximately 12:15 p.m., vote on confirmation of the Roisman nomination.

At approximately 12:45 p.m., Senator Kyl will be sworn in as Senator from Arizona.

We anticipate the Senate to recess following the vote and swearing in until 2:15 p.m.

7:120 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 5, 2018.

6:25 p.m. Senator Alexander paid tribute to the late Senator McCain.

6:15 p.m.  The Senate voted  83-14  to limit debate on the nomination of Elad Roisman to be a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Senators voting in favor: 50 Republicans, 32 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 14 Democrats: Baldwin, Blumenthal, Booker, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Harris, Hirono, Markey, Menendez, Merkley, Schatz, Schukmer, Warren and Whitehouse.

5:30 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Elad Roismant o be a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

5:13 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke in tribute of Senator McCain.

4:53 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke about the Kavanaugh nomination.

4:45 p.m. Senator Warren paid tribute to Senator McCain.

4:19 p.m. Senator Udall spoke on climate change and wildfires.

4:12 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

4 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the Kavanaugh nomination.

3:33 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Kavanaugh nomination.

3:04 p.m. Senator Ernst paid tribute to Senator McCain.

* * * * * * * *

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Elad Roisman to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the Roisman nomination.

At a time to be determined during the week of September 4th, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the following nominations, in the order listed:

o Marilyn Horan for the Western District of Pennsylvania
o William Jung for the Middle District of Florida
o Kari Dooley for the District of Connecticut
o Dominic Lanza for the District of Arizona
o Charles Williams for the Northern District of Iowa
o Robert Summerhays for the Western District of Louisiana
o Eric Tostrud for the District of Minnesota
o Alan Albright for the Western District of Texas