5:04 p.m. The Senate adjourned at 5:04 p.m. and will reconvene at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 20, 2019. The next roll call vote is expected at 5:30 p.m. on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #201, Daniel P. Collins, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.
ML McConnell conducted wrap up:
By voice vote, passed Calendar #83, S.1208, Protecting America’s First Responders Act, w/committee-reported amendment.
By voice vote, passed H.R.2379, reauthorizing the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program.
Passed Calendar #80 S. 820, Debbie Smith Act of 2019.
Passed Calendar #81, S. 998, Supporting and Treating Officers In Crisis Act of 2019
Passed S.744, Effective Prosecution of Possession of Biological Toxins and Agents Act of 2019
Began the Rule 14 process to place the following bills on the Legislative Calendar of Business:
1. H.R.312, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
2. H.R.2578, National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2019
Executive Business
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Confirmed Executive Calendar #185, Matthew H. Tueller, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq
COAST GUARD
Executive Calendar #172 – the following to be Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
Capt. Brendan C. McPherson
Capt. Douglas M. Schofield
Capt. Andrew M. Sugimoto
Capt. Richard V. Timme
Capt. Todd C. Wiemers
INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Executive Calendar #189, Jane L. Corwin, of New York, to be Commissioner on the part of the United States on the International Joint Commission, United States and Canada
Executive Calendar #192, Robert C. Sisson, of Michigan, to be Commissioner on the part of the United States on the International Joint Commission, United States and Canada
Executive Calendar #194, Lance V. Yohe, of North Dakota, to be Commissioner on the part of the United States on the International Joint Commission, United States and Canada
The nomination of Robert Wallace, of Wyoming, to be Assistant Secretary of Fish and Wildlife, was referred jointly to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
3:49 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about health care.
3:34 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about rising tensions in the Middle East.
3:15 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about two fallen police officers and also spoke about Russia.
2:55 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about Iran and also spoke about the Alaskan of the week.
2:28 p.m. Senator Carper spoke on North Korea and Iran.
2:17 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on the following nominations:
- Daniel Collins to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit (subject to 30 hours of post cloture debate)
- Howard Nielson to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Utah (subject to 2 hours of post cloture debate)
- Stephen Clark to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri (subject to 2 hours of post cloture debate)
- Carl Nichols to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia (subject to 2 hours of post cloture debate)
- Kenneth Bell to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina (subject to 2 hours of post cloture debate)
2:16 p.m. The Rosen nomination was confirmed on a party line vote of 52-45 with 2 Democrats (Gillibrand and Harris) and 1 Republican (Alexander) not voting.
1:45 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Attorney General.
1:36 p.m. Senator Cantwell paid tribute to law enforcement as part of police week.
1:25 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on recently expired tax provisions.
1:11 p.m. Senator Cornyn paid tribute to the congregation of the church in Sutherland Springs TX that is opening their new building following the shooting there last year. He later spoke on immigration reform.
1:05 p.m. Senator Portman paid tribute to law enforcement as part of police week.
1:04 p.m. The Bulatao nomination was confirmed 92-5.
Senators voting in favor: 53 Republicans, 38 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.
Senators voting against: 4 Democrats: Blumenthal, Hirono, Markey and Warren; 1 Independent: Sanders.
Senators not voting: 3 Democrats: Booker, Gillibrand and Harris.
12:33 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the Bulatao nomination.
12:33 p.m. The Vitter nomination was confirmed, 52-45.
Senators voting in favor: 52 Republicans.
Senators voting against: 42 Democrats, 2 Independents: (King and Sanders), 1 Republican: Collins.
Senators not voting: 3 Democrats: Booker, Gillibrand and Harris.
12:00 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the nomination of Wendy Vitter to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
11:32 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke about the reauthorization of H.R. 2379.
11:30 a.m. Senator Leahy asked u.c. to consider and pass H.R. 2379, To reauthorize the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program. The bill was agreed to by a voice vote.
11:20 a.m. Senator Casey spoke on Iran.
11:05 a.m. Senators Blunt and Coons spoke on police week.
10:50 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about immigration. He spoke about Iran. He spoke about China trade.
10:37 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about National Police Week.
10:04 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about nominations. He spoke about the economy.
10:03 a.m. By voice vote, the Senate passed as 1208 as amended, a measure to amend the Safe Streets Act.
*****
The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume post-cloture debate on the nomination of Wendy Vitter to the US. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
At noon, there will be two confirmation votes:
1.) Vitter nomination;
2.) Brian J. Bulatao to be under secretary of State.
At 1:45 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination of Jeffrey A. Rosen to be a deputy attorney general.
