Monday, March 19, 2018

7:18 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday.

7:14 p.m. ML McConnell announced UC on HR 1865, on Wednesday at a time to be determined, after four hours of debate on two amendments by Senator Wyden, the Senate vote on the amendments with 60 vote thresholds. Following the disposition of HR 1865. UC that at a time on Tuesday, Senator Sanders, or designee, will then make a motion to discharge S.J.Res. 54, Yemen. There will be up to 4 hours of debate equally divided between the opponents and proponents. Upon the use or yielding back of time, there will be a roll call vote in relation to the motion to discharge. We expect a motion to table the motion to discharge around the 4:00pm range.

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

On Wednesday, March 21, at a time to be determined, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R.1865, SESTA/FOSTA. The only amendments in order are Wyden amendment #2122 and Wyden amendment #2213. There will be up to 4 hours of debate concurrently on the amendments and that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will vote in relation to the amendments in the order listed, with a 60 vote threshold required for adoption of each amendment. Upon disposition of the amendments, the Senate will vote on passage of the bill, as amended, if amended.

Agreed to/confirmed in wrap-up: Legislative Business
H.R.3731, Secret Service Recruitment w/Grassley sub

Executive Business
Confirmed Executive Calendar #471, Nazakhtar, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce

6:50 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about the crisis in Yemen.

6:29 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about the Online Sex Trafficking Prevention Act.

6:25 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1865 by a vote of 94 to 2. Senators Paul and Wyden voted no.

Those not voting: Burr, McCain, Roberts and Toomey.

6:06 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1865, the Online Sex Trafficking Prevention Act.

6:04 p.m. The McAleenan nomination was confirmed 77-19.

Senators voting in favor: 50 Republicans, 26 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 18 Democrats: Blumenthal, Booker, Cardin, Duckworth, Durbin, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Harris, Heinrich, Kaine, Markey, Menendez, Merkley, Schatz, Schumer, Udall, Van Hollen and Warren; 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: Burr, McCain, Roberts and Toomey.

5:36 p.m. Roll call vote began on the McAleenan nomination.

5:32 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about the McAleenan nomination.

5:24 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about gun control.

5:11 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about citizenship.

5:00 p.m. Senator Tester spoke about banking reform bill.

4:48 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about gun control.

3:29 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about his measure to restrict firearms sales to certain sufferers from mental illness. He spoke about the sex-trafficking bill. He spoke about support for the Saudi-led opposition in Yemen.

3:06 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the omnibus spending bill, the McAleenan nomination and the anti-sex trafficking bill.

3:03 p.m. The Senate resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 1865.

* * * * *

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 1865, Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017.

At 5:30 p.m. the Senate will have 2 roll call votes:

  • Confirmation of Executive Calendar #598, the nomination of Kevin K. McAleenan, of Hawaii, to be Commissioner of U.S. Protection, Department of Homeland Security
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #339, H.R.1865: SESTA/FOSTA.