Thursday, April 27, 2017

7:20 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 28th.

Senator Sullivan spoke about the Alaskan of the Week and then conducted wrap up. The Senate passed the following bills by Unanimous consent:

S.Con.Res.14, authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitors Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha I.

H.Con.Res.35, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition.

H.Con.Res.36, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

S.Res.127, supporting the goals and ideals of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

S.Res.132, congratulating the Ashland University women’s basketball team for winning the 2017 National Athletic Association division II championship.

S.Res.145, designating April 2017 as “Financial Literacy Month”.

S.Res.146, designating April 30, 2017, as El Día de los Niños-Celebrating Young Americans.

6:40 p.m. Senator McConnell made a UC to deem the CR passed when the Senate receives it from the House. Senator Schumer objected.

6:39 p.m. The Acosta nomination was confirmed by a vote of 60-38. Dems voting in favor of the nomination: Cortez-Masto, Heitkamp, Manchin, McCaskill, Menendez, Nelson, Tester and Warner. Independent Senator King also voted in favor of the nomination.

6:11 p.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor.

5:44 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about veterans.

5:12 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke regarding national monuments, specifically in Utah.

5:00 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke about Navy pilot issues involving insufficient oxygen.

4:40 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the Republican health care proposal and Secretary DeVos.

4:30 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about former Congressman Jay Dickey.

4:15 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about excessive government regulation.

3:45 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about climate change.

2:58 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke about the government funding bill and provisions for mine workers.

2:43 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke supporting the Acosta nomination.

2:27 p.m. Senator Moran spoke about Veterans Affairs accountability.

2:03 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change and its impact on agriculture.

1:50 p.m. Senator Gardner spoke about CSU professor John Strayer.

1:39 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about burdensome federal regulations.

1:17 p.m. Senator Heller spoke about the appropriations process.

12:48 p.m. Senator Cantwell spoke about national monuments and public lands.

12:28 p.m. Senator Bennett spoke about national monuments and public lands.

12:20 p.m. Senator Flake paid tribute to students of Snow Flake Junior High School for winning the Samsung STEM contest and spoke on NAFTA.

12:04 p.m. Sentator Blunt spoke on burdensome federal regulations.

11:52 a.m. Senator Rounds spoke about health care regulatory hurdles hindering job growth.

11:31 a.m. Senator Carper spoke about the proposed wall along the Mexican border and health care.

11:19 a.m. Senator Barasso spoke about foreign policy lapses durning the Obama administration focusing on the Iran deal.

11:04 a.m. Senator Murphy spoke about President Trump’s planned address to the NRA and gun violence.

10:47 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the negotiations on federal spending. He spoke about the proposed tax overhaul. He spoke about the health care proposal before the House. He spoke about the power of wealth in Washington.

10:29 a.m. Senators Cornyn spoke about military readiness.

10:13 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about whistleblowers in te Pentagon.

10:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the proposed tax overhaul and about the nomination of Alexander Acosta to be labor secretary.

10:02 a.m. Senator Boozman welcomed the guest chaplain, Pastor Marty Sloan of Arkansas.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and will resume post-cloture consideration of the nomination of Alexander Acosta to be secretary of labor.

If all time is used the confirmation vote will occur at about 6:00 p.m.