8:50 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 23 for a pro forma session only.   Next votes expected on January 6, 2020.

During Today’s session:

Roll Call Votes

1.       Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.1865: LaborH, Ag, Energy and Water, Interior, Leg Branch, MilconVA, ForeignOps, THUD Appropriations and the extra items; invoked: 71-21.

2.       Motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the motion to concur re: H.R.1865; agreed to: 64-30.

3.       Motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.1865; agreed to: 71-23.

4.       Confirmation of Executive Calendar #465, Anuraag Singhal, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida; confirmed: 76-17.

5.       Confirmation of Executive Calendar #466, Karen Spencer Marston, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; confirmed: 87-6.

6.       Confirmation of Executive Calendar #480, Daniel Mack Traynor, of North Dakota, to be United States District Judge for the District of North Dakota; confirmed: 51-41.

7.       Confirmation of Executive Calendar #481, Jodi W. Dishman, of Oklahoma, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma; confirmed: 75-17.

8.       Confirmation of Executive Calendar #490, John M. Gallagher, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; confirmed: 83-9.

9.       Confirmation of Executive Calendar #536, Bernard Maurice Jones II, of Oklahoma, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma; confirmed: 91-3.

10.   Confirmation of Executive Calendar #354, Mary Kay Vyskocil, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York; confirmed: 91-3.

11.   Confirmation of Executive Calendar #383, Kea Whetzal Riggs, of New Mexico, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico; confirmed: 94-0.

12.   Confirmation of Executive Calendar #234, Robert J. Colville, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania; confirmed: 66-27.

13.   Confirmation of Executive Calendar #349,  Lewis J. Liman, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York; confirmed: 64-29

14.   Confirmation of Executive Calendar #550, Stephen E. Biegun, of Michigan, to be Deputy Secretary of State; confirmed: 90-3.

15.   Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.1158: Defense, CJS, FSGG, DHS Appropriations; invoked: 77-16.

16.   Motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.1158: Defense, CJS, FSGG, DHS Appropriations; agreed to: 81-11.

 

Legislative Business

Concurred in the House amendment to S.151: TRACED Act.

 

Passed Calendar #328, S.1822: Broadband DATA with Wicker substitute amendment.

 

Adopted S.Res.459: to constitute the majority party’s membership on certain committees for the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen.

 

Adopted S.Res.460: congratulating the American Geophysical Union on the occasion of its centennial.

 

Adopted S.Res.461: congratulating Seattle Sounders FC on winning the 2019 Major League Soccer Cup.

 

Adopted S.Res.462: National One Health Awareness Month.

 

Agreed to H.Con.Res.81: directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R.1158.

 

Agreed to H.Con.Res.82: directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R.1865.

 

Passed Calendar #144, S.1309: Combating Global Corruption Act, with Cardin substitute amendment.

 

Passed S.3147: a bill requiring reports on VA patient safety and quality of care.

 

Passed S.221 with Gardner amendment: Department of Veterans Affairs Provider Accountability Act

 

Passed H.R. 2385: a bill to establish a grant program for cemetery research and produce educational materials for the Veterans Legacy Program

 

Passed S. 2096 with Boozman amendment: a bill to authorize States and tribal organizations that receive grants from the National Cemetery Administration to use such grants for training

 

Passed H.R.1424: Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act.

 

Passed Calendar #274, S.439: End Plush Retirements Act, with a Cardin amendment.

 

Passed Calendar #203, S.1434: Construction Consensus Procurement Improvement Act, with Portman amendment.

 

Passed H.R.550: Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal

 

Passed S.1029: Dogs as Witness Guardians Act, with Cornyn amendment.

 

Passed Calendar #144, S.1309: to identify and combat corruption in countries, to establish a tiered system of countries with respect to levels of corruption by their governments and their efforts to combat such corruption, and to asses United States assistance to designated countries in order to advance anti-corruption efforts in those countries and better serve United States taxpayers, with a Cardin substitute amendment.

 

Passed Calendar #286, S.1608: to provide for the publication by the Secretary of Health and Human Services of physical activity recommendations for Americans.

 

Completed the Rule 14 process to place the following bills on the Legislative Calendar of Business:

 

·       H.R.397, Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019

·       H.R.1759, BRIDGE for Workers Act

·       H.R.4018, to provide that the amount of time that an elderly offender must serve before being eligible for placement in home detention is to be reduced by the amount of good time credits earned by the prisoner, and for other purposes.

 

Began the Rule 14 process to place S.3148, to amend the Controlled Substance Act to list fentanyl-related substances as schedule I controlled substances (Johnson).

 

Additional Executive Business

Confirmed the following nominations by voice vote:

·       Executive Calendar #356, Gary Richard Brown, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York

·       Executive Calendar #357, Stephanie Dawkins Davis, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan

 

COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

·       Executive Calendar #492 – Michael Graham, of Kansas, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2020.

·       Executive Calendar #496 – Michael Graham, of Kansas, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2025.

·       PN 1228 – Thomas B. Chapman, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2023

 

ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL

·       Executive Calendar #553 – J. Brett Blanton, of Virginia, to be Architect of the Capitol for the term of ten years.

 

COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS

·       Executive Calendar #548 – Sean O’Donnell, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Environmental Protection Agency.

 

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY

·       Executive Calendar #497 – LaJuana S. Wilcher, of Kentucky, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation.

 

COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES

·       Executive Calendar #507 – Dana S. Deasy, of Virginia, to be Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense.

·       Executive Calendar #508 – Lisa W. Hershman, of Indiana, to be Chief Management Officer of the Department of Defense.

·       Executive Calendar #509 – Robert John Sander, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of the Navy.

 

Confirmed the following nominations by unanimous consent:

FOREIGN SERVICE PROMOTIONS

·       PN 1318 – There are 41 nominations, beginning with Shon Stephen Belcher, and ending with David Mango

·       PN 1319 – There are 154 nominations, beginning with Kara Miriam Abramson, and ending with Megan Elizabeth Zurowski

·       PN 1321 – There are 119 nominations, beginning with Jenny U. Abamu, and ending with Hamda A. Yusuf

 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

·       Executive Calendar #518 – David T. Fischer, of Michigan, to  be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco.

·       Executive Calendar #519 – Morse H. Tan, of Illinois, to be Ambassador at Large for Global Criminal Justice.

·       Executive Calendar #520 – Roxanne Cabral, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

·       Executive Calendar #522 – Leslie Meredith Tsou, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Sultanate of Oman.

·       Executive Calendar #523 – Yuri Kim, of Guam, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Albania.

·       Executive Calendar #524 – Carmen G. Cantor, of Puerto Rico, to be Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia.

·       Executive Calendar #526 – Robert S. Gilchrist, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania.

·       Executive Calendar #527 – Alina L. Romanowski, of Illinois, to be Ambassador to the State of Kuwait.

·       Executive Calendar #528 – Kelly C. Degnan, of California, to be Ambassador to Georgia.

·       Executive Calendar #529 – Peter M. Haymond, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

 

UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

·       Executive Calendar #411 – Michelle A. Bekkering, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.

 

7:02 p.m. The Senate passed by unanimous consent H.R. 2624, the Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act.

5:55 p.m. ML McConnell spoke on his discussions with DL Schumer regarding impeachment. ML McConnell announced that the Senate will reconvene for the 116th Congress, 2nd Session, at 12:00 pm on Friday, January 3rd. Please note, the first votes in the Senate are expected on Monday, January 6th, 2020.

5:14 p.m. Senator Portman spoke supporting the USMCA.

5:06 p.m. Senator Tester spoke honoring William Ebeltoff.

4:58 p.m. Senator Thune gave a tribute to his father.

4:56 p.m. The Senate agreed to the “minibus 2”, 81-11.

Senators voting against: 7 Democrats: Carper, Gillibrand, Markey, Merkley, Schumer, Van Hollen and Wyden; 4 Republicans: Braun, Cruz, Hawley and Lee.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

4:36 p.m. Roll call vote began on passage of the “Minibus #2”.

4:35 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on H.R. 1158, Minibus #2, 77-16.

Senators voting in favor:  42 Republicans, 34 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 9 Republicans: Blackburn, Braun, Cassidy, Cruz, Ernst, Hawley, Johnson, Lee and Toomey; 7 Democrats: Carper, Gillibrand, Markey, Merkley, Schumer, Van Hollen and Wyden.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

4:21 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R. 1158, Minibus #2 (Defense, CJS, FSGG, DHS Appropriations)

4:20 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Biegun nomination to be Deputy Secretary of State, 90-3.

Senators Gillibrand, Hirono, and Markey voted no.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, and Warren; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

4:08 p.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of Stephen E. Biegun to be Deputy Secretary of State.

4:07 p.m. The Brown and Davis nominations were confirmed by voice vote. 

4:07 p.m. The Liman nomination was confirmed, 64-29.

Senators not voting: 5 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Hassan, Klobuchar, and Warren; 1 Republican: Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

3:55 p.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of Louis Liman to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District NY.

3:53 p.m. The Colville nomination was confirmed, 66-27.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, and Warren; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

3:39 p.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of Robert Colville to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of PA.

3:38 p.m. Senator McConnell announced that following disposition of the Davis confirmation that the Senate proceed to vote on the nomination of Stephen Biegun to be Deputy Secretary of State. Following that vote they will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R. 1158 (Minibus #2) and if cloture is invoked they will immediately vote on passage of H.R. 1158.

3:38 p.m. The Riggs nomination was confirmed, 94-0

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, and Warren; 1 Republican: Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

3:26 p.m. Roll Call vote began on Kea Riggs to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico.

3:25 p.m. The Vyskocil nomination was confirmed, 91-3.

Senators voting against: Gillibrand, Heinrich and Markey.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, and Warren; 1 Republican: Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

3:14 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Mary Vyskocil to be US District judge for the Southern District of New York.

3:14 p.m. The Jones nomination was confirmed 91-3.

Senators voting against: 3 Democrats: Gillibrand, Markey and Schumer.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, and Warren; 1 Republican: and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

3:02 p.m. Roll call vote began on the nomination of Bernard Jones to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma.

3:01 p.m. The Gallagher nomination was confirmed 83-9.  

Senators voting against: 9 Democrats: Voting no: Bennet, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Markey, Merkley, Murray, Schumer, Stabenow and Wyden.

Senators not voting: 5 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, Warner and Warren; 2 Republicans: Burr and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

2:49 p.m. Roll call vote began on the nomination of John Gallagher to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

2:48 p.m. The Dishman nomination was confirmed 75-17.

Senators voting in favor: 51 Republicans, 23 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 17 Democrats: Baldwin, Blumenthal, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Heinrich, Hirono, Markey, Merkley, Murray, Schatz, Schumer, Smith, Stabenow, Udall, Van Hollen and Wyden.

Senators not voting: 5 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, Warner and Warren; 2 Republicans: Burr and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

2:33 p.m. Roll call vote began on the nomination of  Jodi Dishman to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma.

2:32 p.m. The Traynor nomination was confirmed on a party line tally of 51-41.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, Warner and Warren; 2 Republicans: Burr and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

2:20 p.m. Roll call vote began on the nomination of Daniel Traynor to be United States District Judge for the District of North Dakota.

2:19 p.m. The Marston nomination was confirmed 87-6.

Senators voting no: Gillibrand, Markey, Merkley, Schumer, Smith and Wyden.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Burr and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

2:07 p.m. Roll call vote began on the nomination of Karen Marston to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

2:06 p.m. The Singhal nomination was confirmed 76-17.

Senators voting in favor: 51 Republicans, 24 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

1:45 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on Confirmation of the Singhal nomination to be a Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

1:29 p.m. Senator Peters spoke supporting the nomination of Stephanie Davis to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.

1:26 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke on significant events that have occurred on December 19th.

1:13 p.m. Senator Schatz asked u.c. to pass Federal Employees Technical Correction Act. Senator Toomey asked u.c. to pass H.R. 748, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act and that the Toomey amendment be agreed to. Senator Schatz objected to Senator Toomey’s request. Senator Toomey objected to Senator Schatz’s original request.

1:15 p.m. The domestic appropriations package was agreed to 71—23.

Senators voting in favor: 39 Democrats, 31 Republicans, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 21 Republicans: Barasso, Blackburn, Braun, Cassidy, Cornyn,Cotton, Cruz, Daines, Enzi, Hawley, Inhofe, Johnson, Kennedy, ‪Lankford, Lee, Paul, Risch, Sasse, Scott (FL), Scott (SC), and Toomey; 2 Democrats: Carper and Gillibrand.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 1 Republican: Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

12:49 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to concur with the House Message to accompany H.R.1865., the domestic appropriations package.

12:48 p.m. The motion to waive was agreed to 64-30.

Senators voting against: 26 Republicans and 4 Democrats

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 1 Republican: Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

12:21 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget act with respect to the domestic appropriations package, the House Message to accompany H.R.1865.

12:20 p.m. Senator Shelby offered a motion to waive the budget act.

12:16 p.m. Senator Enzi raised a budget point of order on the domestic appropriations package.

12:11 p.m. Senator Baldwin paid tribute to her retiring chief of Staff Bill Moratt.

12:08 p.m. Senator Lee asked UC to take up and pass S. 1625 , Senator Wicker objected.

12:06 p.m. Senator Wicker asked UC to take up and pass H.R. 4998 , Senator Lee objected.

12:03 p.m. Senator Wicker acheived UC to take up and pass S. 1822 regarding broadband.

11:45 a.m. Senators Thune and Markey spoke on the robocall bill, and passed the bill, S. 151, by voice vote.

11:38 a.m. Cloture was invoked, 71-21. 

Senators voting in favor: 31 Republicans, 39 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 20 Republicans: Barasso, Blackburn, Braun, Cassidy, Cruz, Daines, Enzi, Ernst, Hawley, Inhofe, Johnson, Lankford, Lee, Paul, Risch, Sasse, Scott (FL), Scott (SC), and Toomey; 2 Democrats: Carper and Gillibrand.

Senators not voting: 5 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, Udall and Warren; 2 Republicans: Cotton and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

11:03 a.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to invoke cloture on the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1865.

10:57 a.m. Senator Shelby spoke about appropriations.

10:47 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke about appropriations.

10:27 a.m. Senator Lee spoke about the pending spending measures.

10:11 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke for the articles of impeachment.

10:07 a.m. These measures were placed, en bloc, on the Senator calendar: H.R.357, amendments to the tax code; H.R.1759 amendments to the Social Security Act; H.R.4018, regarding misdemeanor imprisonment.

9:34 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke against the articles of impeachment that the House has lodged against President Trump.

*****

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of House Message to accompany H.R.1865: LaborH, Ag, Energy and Water, Interior, Leg Branch, MilconVA, ForeignOps, THUD Appropriations.

11:00 a.m. – 1 roll call vote: cloture on House Message to accompany H.R.1865.

Cloture has also been filed on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.1158: Defense, CJS, FSGG, DHS Appropriations.

At a time to be determined, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the pending nominations:

1. Anuraag Singhal to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

2. Karen Marston to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

3. Daniel Traynor to be United States District Judge for the District of North Dakota

4. Jodi Dishman to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma

5. John Gallagher to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

6. Bernard Jones to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma

7. Mary Vyskocil to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York

8. Kea Riggs to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico

9. Robert Colville to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania

10. Lewis Liman to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York

11. Gary Brown to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York

12. Stephanie Davis to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan

Cloture has also been filed on Executive Calendar #550, Stephen Biegun to be Deputy Secretary of State