Blog

Thursday, December 5, 2019

3:57 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 9. They will resume consideration of Patrick Bumatay to be a circuit judge for the 9th Circuit. At 5:30 p.m. they will vote on the cloture motion in relation to the Bumatay nomination.

Passed during wrap up:

S. 743-awarding Congressional Gold Medal to the members of “Merrill’s Marauders.”

3:33 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about trade.

3:24 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about climate change.

2:49 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the World Bank and the Department of Defense.

2:19 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke on the 5G auction decision.

2:15 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on the following nominations:

  • Patrick Bumatay to be a circuit judge for the 9th Circuit
  • Lawrence VanDyke to be a circuit judge for the 9th circuit
  • John Sullivan to be Ambassador to Russia
  • Stephen Hahn to be Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration
  • Aurelia Skipwith to be Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service

2:14 p.m. The Duncan nomination was confirmed 89-0.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 6 Republicans: Isakson, Moran, Murkowski, Paul, Perdue and Rounds; 1 Independent: Sanders.

1:33 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Robert Duncan to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service.

1:28 p.m. Senator Whitehouse paid tribute to Senator Isakson.

1:17 p.m. Senator Coons spoke on judicial nominations.

1:00 p.m. Senators Menendez and Cruz discussed genocide in Armenia.  Menendez asked unanimous consent to take up and pass S Res 150 on that topic; Senator Cramer objected.

12:58 p.m. The Lydon nomination was confirmed 76-13.

Senators voting in favor: 47 Republicans, 28 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 13 Democrats:Bennet, Blumenthal, Brown, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Hirono, Markey, Merkley, Murray, Schatz, Schumer, Smith & Van Hollen.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 6 Republicans: Isakson, Moran, Murkowski, Paul, Perdue and Rounds; 1 Independent: Sanders.

12:33 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Sherri Lydon to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina.

12:32 p.m. The Myers nomination was confirmed, 68-21.

Senators voting in favor: 47 Republicans, 20 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 21 Democrats: Baldwin, Bennet, Blumenthal, Brown, Cantwell, Cortez Masto, Gillibrand, Heinrich, Hirono, Markey, Menendez, Merkley, Murray, Schatz, Schumer, Smith, Stabenow, Udall, Van Hollen, Whitehouse and Wyden.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 6 Republicans: Isakson, Moran, Murkowski, Paul, Perdue and Rounds; 1 Independent: Sanders.

12:00 p.m. Roll call began on confirmation of Richard Myers to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

11:52 a.m. Senator Burr spoke in favor of the Myers nomination.

11:50 a.m. Senator Tillis spoke in favor of the Myers nomination.

11:39 a.m. Senator Cantwell spoke about taxes.

11:32 a.m. Senator Gardner spoke about Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona.

11:10 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about impeachment and energy.

10:50 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about impeachment.

10:35 a.m. Senator Scott of South Carolina secured consent for passage of H.R.2426, as amended, to benefit historically black colleges and to simplify the financial aid process for students from minority groups. Senators Alexander, Murray, Jones and Coons were granted recognition to join Senator Scott in a colloquy about the legislation.

10:15 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell criticized Democrats on impeachment, appropriations, and defense spending.

10:04 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the World Bank and China.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Richard Myers to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

12:00 noon – 2 roll call votes:

1.       Confirmation of Executive Calendar #479, Richard Myers to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina

2.       Confirmation of Executive Calendar #489, Sherri Lydon to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina

1:45pm – 1 roll call vote:

1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #386, Robert Duncan to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2025.