Thursday, February 17, 2022

The Senate adjourned at 8:16 p.m. and will reconvene for pro forma sessions only on the following days:

  • Friday, February 18 at 9:00 a.m.
  • Tuesday, February 22 at 3:00 p.m.
  • Friday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m.

Following the Feb. 25 pro forma the Senate will adjourn to reconvene at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 28 where Senator Leahy will be recognized to give Washington’s Farewell address. They will then resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 3755-Women’s Health Protection Act. At 5:30 p.m. the Senate will vote on the cloture motions related to:

H.R. 3755-Women’s Health Protection Act
H.R. 3076-provide stability to and enhance the services of the US Postal Service

Confirmed and passed during wrap-up:

  • Cal. #114-Col. Jonathan Rice to be Brigadier General
  • Cal. #744-Maj. General. Gregg P. Olson to be Lt. General
  • Cal. #759-Maj. Gen. Douglas Sims II to be Lt. General
  • All nominations on the Secretary’s desk
  • Cal. #650-Marth Williams to be Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service
  • S. Res. 519-Supporting an independent and democratic against any further Russian military invasion.
  • S. Res. 520-February 21-23 as public schools week
  • S. Res. 521
  • S. Res. 522
  • S. Res. 523
  • S. Res. 524
  • S. Res. 525
  • S. Res. 526
  • H.R. 1667-address behavioral health and well-being among health care professionals
  • H.R. 189-Public service act
  • S. 3373-Improve the Iraq and Afghanistan service grant and the children of fallen heroes grant
  • S. 3059-Amend the Ethics in government act
  • S. 697-commemorative coins in recognition of the bicentennial of Harriet Tubman’s birth
  • S. 4706-Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self-determination act

First Reading-H.R. 4521-An act to provide for a coordinated federal research initiative to ensure continued US leadership in engineering biology.

7:04 p.m. Senator Schumer filed cloture on the following two bills:

  • H.R. 3755-prohibit governmental restrictions to access abortion services.
  • H.R. 3076-provide stability to and enhance the services of the US Postal Service

6:53 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about the nomination of Michelle Taylor to be ambassador the UN Human Rights Council. He asked for unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the nomination. The nomination was confirmed by voice vote.

6:52 p.m. By a vote of 65-27, H.R. 6617, the Continuing Resolution to March 11 passed.

6:28 p.m. The Senate began voting on final passage of H.R. 6617, the Continuing Resolution to March 11.

6:28 p.m. By a vote of 47-45 (60 vote threshold), the Senate did not agree to the Braun amendment #2930 (balanced budget). Democrats voting aye: Manchin and Sinema. Republicans voting no: Collins. Senators not voting: Burr, Feinstein, Graham, Inhofe, Kelly, Lujan, Romney and Rosen.

6:11 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Braun amendment #2930 (balanced budget) to H.R. 6617, the Continuing Resolution to March 11.

6:09 p.m. The Senate did not agree to the Cruz amendment #4927 (cut off federal funds for vaccine mandates), 44-49.

5:56 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Cruz amendment #4927 (cut off federal funds for vaccine mandates) to H.R. 6617, the Continuing Resolution to March 11.

5:55 p.m. By a vote of 46-47 the Lee amendment #4929 (vaccine mandates) to H.R. 6617, the Continuing Resolution to March 11 was not agreed to. Senators not voting: Burr, Feinstein, Graham, Inhofe, Kelly, Lujan, Romney.

5:16 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on Lee amendment #2929 to H.R. 6617, the Continuing Resolution to March 11.

5:14 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke against the Cruz amendment.

5:13 p.m. Senator Murray spoke against the Lee amendment.

5:00 p.m. Senator Lee and Senator Cruz spoke about their amendments.

4:51 p.m. Senator Leahy announced that there will be 4 votes at 5:15.

  • Lee amendment #4929-Vaccine mandates
  • Braun amendment #4930 (60 vote threshold)-
  • Cruz amendment #4927-cuts off federal funds for school districts that impose vaccine mandates
  • Final passage H.R. 6617-Continuing resolution

4:43 p.m. Senator Braun spoke about debt.

4:30 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about crack pipes. He asked unanimous consent to proceed to S. 3632. Senator Leahy objected.

3:53 p.m. Senator Moran spoke about inflation.

3:43 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about semiconductor chips.

3:12 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about the nomination of Michelle Taylor to be ambassador the UN Human Rights Council.

2:50 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about reciprocity between US and Russia regarding the seafood trade. Senator Sullivan asked unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to S. 3614. Senator Markey objected.

2:43 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about section 230 immunity.

2:35 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about inflation and Republicans boycotting federal reserve nominations votes.

2:28 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the increase in crime.

1:59 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about Ukraine.

1:44 p.m. By a vote of 65-30, the Senate invoked cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 6617, the Continuing Resolution through March 11.

Republicans voting in favor: Barrasso, Blunt, Capito, Cassidy, Collins, Cornyn, Hagerty, Hoeven, Hyde-Smith, Kennedy, McConnell, Moran, Murkowski, Portman, Rounds, Rubio, Shelby, Tillis, and Wicker.

Senators not voting: Burr, Feinstein, Graham, Kelly, and Lujan.

12:57 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 6617, the Continuing Resolution until March 11.

12:48 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about the continuing resolution.

12:33 p.m. Senator King asked unanimous consent for the Senate to confirm Executive Calendar #599, Ashish S. Vazirani, MD, to be Deputy Under Secretary of State and Executive Calendar #693 John F. Plumb, NY, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense. Senator Hawley objected.

12:00 p.m. Senator Scott (FL) spoke about China.

11:54 a.m. Senator Shelby paid tribute to staffer Shannon Hines.

11:40 a.m. Senator Markey spoke about the pandemic and seniors as well as on energy.

11:09 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about free and fair competition in shipping and biofuels.

10:54 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about January 6.

10:41 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke on American energy.

The Senate will convene at 10:30 a.m. and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 6617 the Continuing Resolution through March 11th

If no agreement is reached, there will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed at approximately 1:00 p.m.