5:48 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will meet on May 22nd at 9:00 a.m. for a pro forma session.
5:16 p.m. Senator Sullivan paid tribute to the Alaskan of the Week, Sharon Long and on the Due Process Protections Act.
5:02 p.m. ML McConnell conducted wrap up:
ML McConnell asked u.c. that the Senate meet in pro forma sessions on:
Friday, May 22nd at 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, May 26th at 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 28th at 11:00 a.m.
ML McConnell asked for the first reading of the following bills en bloc: S. 3833, a bill extending the loan forgiveness period for the Paycheck Protection Program and on H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act.
Adopted S.Res.597, designating May 2020 as ‘‘Older Americans Month’’.
Adopted S.Res.598, recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges of children in the foster care system, and encouraging Congress to implement policies to improve the lives of children in the foster care system.
Adopted S.Res.599, honoring the life and legacy of Judge Lee Roy West.
Agreed to by u.c.: S.Res. 556, Designating May 1st as U.S. Foreign Service Day.
Confirmed by voice vote en bloc: PN1608 – Christopher T. Hanson to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of 5 years PN1333 – David A. Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of 5 years
Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #654 Kenneth J. Braithwaite to be Secretary of the Navy.
5:00 p.m. ML McConnell spoke about upcoming legislative business, including Great American Outdoors Act and NDAA.
3:34 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about strengthening PPP legislation.
3:15 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about essential workers unable to work from home.
2:41 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke on the Memorial Day holiday.
2:37 p.m. Senator Cramer spoke about Major General Scott Spellmon.
2:25 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about recent increases in addiction issues as well as increases in mental and behavioral health issues.
2:23 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on the following:
Executive Calendar #644 Drew B. Tipton to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.
Executive Calendar #656 James H. Anderson to be a Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.
Executive Calendar #652 Brian D. Miller to be Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery.
Executive Calendar #655 Victor G. Mercado to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.
2:21 p.m. The #Senate invoked cloture on John Badalamenti to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida by a tally of 65-28.
1:31 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on John Leonard Badalamenti to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida.
1:16 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about the coronavirus and on Chinese persecution of the Uighurs.
12:46 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about the need to remain in session over the Memorial Day recess.
12:35 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of National Intelligence on a party line vote of 49-44.
Senators not voting: Alexander, Burr, Markey, Murkowski, Murray, Rounds, & Sanders.
12:00 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the nomination of John Ratcliffe to be the Director of National Intelligence.
11:31 a.m. Senator Wyden spoke against the Ratcliffe nomination.
11:09 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke supporting the Ratcliffe nomination and on the Russia investigation.
10:52 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke supporting the need for additional coronavirus funding.
10:33 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about Senate action on the coronavirus.
10:23 a.m. DL Schumer spoke about unemployment numbers and increasing deaths due to the coronavirus. Senator Schumer also spoke about the need for economic relief and against the Ratcliffe nomination.
10:04 a.m. ML McConnell spoke on the legislative accomplishments of the Senate and on the House voting by proxy. ML McConnell asked u.c. that the action of the Senate with respect to S.J. Res. 72, providing for the reappointment of Michael M. Lynton as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, be vitiated.
10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about religious persecution in Nigeria.
10:00 a.m. The Senate has convened.
****
The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and begin consideration of the nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of National Intelligence.
There will be a vote on confirmation of the Ratcliffe nomination at 12:00 noon.
Following the vote on the Ratcliffe nomination, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of John Badalamenti to be a US District Judge for the middle district of Florida.
There will be a cloture vote on the Badalamenti nomination at 1:30 p.m.
If cloture is invoked, the confirmation vote would occur at 5:30 p.m. on Monday June 1, 2020.
