Thursday, August 5, 2021

12:16 a.m. The Senate adjourned and will next convene on Saturday, August 7 at 11:00 a.m. Following leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 3684, the INVEST in America Act (infrastructure).

1 vote at 12 noon:

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on the Sinema-Portman substitute amendment #3157 to H.R. 3684, INVEST in America Act

A vote on confirmation of Eunice C. Lee, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit, will occur at a time to be determined on Saturday.

Wrap-Up:

  1. Confirmed by voice vote en bloc:

Exec. Cal. #143 – Jose W. Fernandez, NY, to be U.S. Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.  

Exec. Cal. #144 – Jose W. Fernandez, NY, to be U.S. Alternate Governor of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Exec. Cal. #145 – Jose W. Fernandez, NY, to be an Under Secretary of State (Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment).

Exec. Cal. #272 – Kathleen S. Miller, VA, to be a Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.

  1. S. 610, Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, the Murray-Burr amendment and committee-reported substitute amendment, agreed to by voice vote.
  2. S. 1041, RENACER Act, and the committee-reported amendment, agreed to by voice vote.
  3. S.812,  A bill to direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization, agreed to by unanimous consent.
  4. S.1031,  A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, agreed to by unanimous consent.
  5. H.R. 1448, Puppies Assisting Wounded Service Members for Veterans Therapy Act, adopted by voice vote
  6. Began Rule 14 process to place on the legislative calendar:

S. 2670, A bill to provide for redistricting, reform.

S. 2671, SHIELD Act.

11:47 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Sinema spoke on the infrastructure bill. ML Schumer announced the Senate will vote on Saturday, August 7 on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R. 3684, INVEST in America Act.

11:46 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Lee nomination, 50-49.

Senator Graham did not vote.

8:48 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Eunice C. Lee to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the second circuit.

8:47 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer filed cloture on the following:

  1. Sinema-Portman substitute amendment #2137 to H.R. 3684
  2. H.R. 3684, INVEST in America Act

6:39 p.m. Senator Lummis spoke on financial systems.

6:39 p.m. Senators Wicker and Shaheen spoke on the infrastructure bill.

6:25 p.m. Senator Casey spoke on Rich Trumka.

6:07 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke on climate change.

5:54 p.m. The Senate confirmed exec. cal. #158 Robert Peter Silvers, D.C., to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security, by voice vote.

5:32 p.m. Senator Peters spoke in favor of two nominations to the Department of Homeland Security Robert Silvers and Jonathan Meyer. He asked unanimous consent that the Senate confirm Robert Peter Silvers, D.C., to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security. Senator Lankford objected. Senator Peters asked unanimous consent that the Senate confirm Jonathan Eugene Meyer, OH, to be General Counsel, Department of Homeland Security. Senator Lankford objected.

5:26 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke on the infrastructure bill.

5:22 p.m. Senator Murray spoke on Rich Trumka.

4:57 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on dark money interests to take control of the Supreme Court.

4:51 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke on the Survivor’s Bill of Rights.

4:31 p.m. Senators Toomey and Wyden spoke on the infrastructure bill.

4:31 p.m. Senators Toomey and Wyden spoke on the infrastructure bill.

3:57 p.m. Senator Warnock spoke on Rick Trumka and health care.

3:30 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the infrastructure bill.

3:12 p.m. Senator Warren spoke on Rich Trumka.

3:04 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on Rich Trumka.

2:49 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on Rich Trumka and the September 11th Transparency bill.

2:04 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on climate change.

1:43 p.m. Senator Van Hollen paid tribute to Rich Trumka.

1:32 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on climate change.

1:26 p.m. Senator Carper spoke on the infrastructure legislation.

1:02 p.m. Senator Rosen also spoke on Rich Trumka and then on the infrastructure legislation.

12:56 p.m. Senator Brown paid tribute to Rich Trumka of the AFL-CIO.

12:50 p.m. Senator Young spoke on government spending.

12:33 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the Survivor’s Bill of Rights.

12:05 p.m. Senator Peters spoke on the infrastructure legislation.

11:55 a.m. Senator Stabenow also paid tribute to Rich Trumka.

11:45 Leader Schumer paid tribute to Rich Trumka.

11:30 p.m. Senator Carper announced the vote would be posted until further notice.

The Senate will convene at 10:30 a.m., and following Leader remarks, will resume consideration of H.R.3684, the vehicle for the Infrastructure bill.

At 11:30 a.m., the Senate will vote on cloture on the nomination of Eunice Lee to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.

Additional roll call votes are possible during today’s session in relation to H.R.3684.