Thursday, December 3, 2020

The Senate adjourned at 5:08 p.m. and will return on Monday, December 7th at 3:00 p.m. to resume consideration of Stephen Schwartz to be a
Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a vote on Executive Calendar #649 Stephen Sidney Schwartz to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years.

4:57 p.m. Senator Blunt began wrap up:

  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #568 Lanny Erdos to be Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
  • Passed by u.c. En bloc: H.R. 2246, H.R. 4279, S. 4409, H.R. 2969, H.R. 3275, H.R. 3847, H.R. 3870, H.R. 4034, H.R. 4200, H.R. 4672, H.R. 4785, H.R. 4975, H.R. 5062, H.R. 5317, S. 4684, H.R. 2454, H.R. 3005, H.R. 3680, H.R. 4725, H.R. 4875, H.R. 4971, H.R. 5307 and H.R. 5954.
  • Passed by u.c.: H.R. 473, Establishing the every word we utter monument in the District of Columbia.
  • Agreed to by u.c.: H.Con.Res. 125, Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 1830.
  • Adopted by voice vote: S.Res. 791, Designating November 2020 as National College Application Month
  • Adopted by unanimous consent: S.Res. 792, authorizing representation by the Senate legal counsel in the case of Chad Michael Frane v Dianne Feinstein.
  • Adopted by unanimous consent: S.Res. 793, Remembering the December 6, 2019 terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola and commemorating those who lost their lives and were injured in the line of duty.

4:35 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about the Coronavirus vaccine.

4:06 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on:

  • The nomination of Stephen Sidney Schwartz to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years.
  • The nomination of Nathan A. Simington to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for a term of five years from July 1, 2019.

3:37 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the legislative agenda for the remainder of the year.

3:03 p.m. Senator Capito paid tribute to police officer Cassie Johnson.

2:54 p.m. Senator Stabenow paid tribute to Senator Alexander and spoke on the economy in Michigan.

2:25 p.m. Senator Alexander paid tribute to his staff.

2:23 p.m. By a vote of 59-34, the Senate confirmed Liam Hardy to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

Senators voting in favor: 47 Republicans, 11 Democrats: Cardin, Carper, Hassan, Jones, Kelly, Manchin, Murphy, Reed, Shaheen, Sinema and Tester. 1 Independent: King.

1:41 p.m. The Senate began a vote on Confirmation of Liam Hardy to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

1:23 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke on payroll taxes. Senator Van Hollen asked unanimous consent to call up and pass S. 4810, Protecting Employees from Surprise Taxes Act of 2020 and proceed to its immediate consideration. Senator Daines objected.

12:42 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Hardy nomination, 61-34.

Senators voting in favor: 49 Republicans, 11 Democrats: Cardin, Carper, Hassan, Jones, Kelly, Manchin, Murphy, Reed, Shaheen, Sinema and Tester. 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 34 Democrats.

Senators not voting: 3 Republicans: Graham, Loeffler and Perdue; 1 Democrat: Harris, 1 Independent: Sanders.

12:08 p.m. The Senate began a cloture vote on the nomination of
Liam Hardy to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

12:07 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Christopher Waller to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve by a tally of 48-47.

Senators voting in favor: 48 Republicans.

Senators voting against: 46 Democrats, 1 Republican: Paul, 1 Independent: King.

Senators not voting: 3 Republicans: Graham, Loeffler and Perdue; 1 Democrat: Harris, 1 Independent: Sanders.

11:29 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Christopher Waller to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.

11:08 a.m. Senator Portman paid tribute to departing Senators Alexander, Enzi, Roberts, Gardner, McSally, Udall and Jones.

11:01 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on the pandemic and relief effort negotiations.

10:46 a.m. Senator Cortez Masto spoke on the effects of the pandemic on Nevada.

10:42 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the Defense Authorization.

10:29 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke on Covid-19 relief.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke on giving Tuesday.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #761, Christopher Waller to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, post-cloture.

At 11:30 a.m., 2 roll call votes:

1. Confirmation of the Waller nomination.

2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #842, Liam Hardy to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

At 1:45pm – 1 roll call vote:

1. Confirmation of the Hardy nomination.