Thursday, July 30, 2020

5:42 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will meet next at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3rd to resume consideration of the Menezes nomination. At 5:30 p.m. there will be a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Mark Wesley Menezes to be Deputy Secretary of Energy.

Passed during wrap up:

  • Adopted by u.c. S.Res. 664, Designating the week of September 20-26 as Golden Star Families Remembrance Week.
  • Adopted by u.c. S.Res. 656, recognizing the importance of the blueberry industry to the United States and designating July 2020 as “National Blueberry Month”
  • Passed by u.c. S. 2336, Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Reform Act
  • Passed by u.c. S. 850, Highway Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act w/Sullivan amendment
  • Passed by u.c. S. 914, Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act w/Wicker substitute
  • Passed by u.c. S. 529, National Landslide Preparedness Act w/Cantwell amendment

5:22 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about extending unemployment benefits.

5:13 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke honoring the life of Congressman John Lewis.

4:42 p.m. Senator Cantwell spoke on protecting the U.S. voting system.

4:26 p.m. Senator Rosen spoke against the Republican proposed changes to unemployment funds.

4:24 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on Executive Calendar #711 Mark Wesley Menezes to be Deputy Secretary of Energy.

4:13 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke on the Coronavirus.

4:02 p.m. Senator Hawley spoke about the makeup of the Supreme Court.

3:49 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke supporting the 7-day extension.

3:43 p.m. Senator Schumer asked u.c. to call up and pass H.R. 6800 – The HEROES Act. Senator Portman objected.

3:34 p.m. Senator McSally spoke about the need for a 7-day extension of unemployment benefits. Senator McSally asked u.c. to call up and pass the bill at the desk S. _ – providing a seven day extension of unemployment benefits. Senator Schumer objected to the request.

3:31 p.m. ML McConnell moved to concur in the House amendment with a further amendment #2499.

3:30 p.m. The Senate moved to proceed to the House message to accompany S. 178, the shell vehicle for unemployment insurance extension by a tally of 47-42.

Republican Senators Gardner and Paul voted no.

2:36 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to the House message to accompany S.178, the vehicle for unemployment insurance extension.

2:31 p.m. Senator Schumer responded to the Majority Leader and spoke on unemployment funding.

2:25 p.m. ML McConnell spoke on the issues preventing the extension of unemployment funds. McConnell announced at approximately 2:35 pm the Senate will proceed to a vote on the motion to proceed to the House message to accompany S.178, the vehicle for unemployment insurance extension.

2:25 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Derek Kan, of California, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget by a tally of 71-21.

1:32 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Derek Kan, of California, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

1:22 p.m. Senator Rounds spoke about S. 1720, New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act.

1:12 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke in opposition to a short-term extension of unemployment benefits.

12:59 p.m. Senators Cornyn and Smith spoke on the need for racial reconciliation. Senator Cornyn asked u.c. to call up and pass S. _, Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. Senator Johnson objected to the request.

12:53 p.m. Senator Schumer asked u.c. to call up and pass , H.R. 6800, The HEROES Act. Senator Johnson objected.

12:46 p.m. Senators Stabenow and Brown spoke about the economy and the need for additional unemployment benefits.

12:36 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about the dire state of the economy and need for additional unemployment benefits.

12:31 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about his HEROS act alternative.

12:21 p.m. Senator Johnson asked u.c. to call up his bill at the desk, S._, Coronavirus Relief 5 Fair Unemployment Compensation Act of 2020 (short-term extension of benefits). Senator Schumer objected to the request.

12:18 p.m. Senator Scott of FL spoke on the cost associated with extending unemployment benefits.

12:13 p.m. Senator Braun spoke about small businesses and on unemployment benefits.

12:04 p.m. Senator Johnson spoke about the state of the economy and on the extension of unemployment benefits.

11:38 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the anniversary of the ADA and supporting whistle-blower protections.

11:29 a.m. Senator Carper spoke supporting the Kan nomination.

11:13 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke against the removal of American troops from Germany.

10:57 a.m. Senator Cardin spoke honoring Congressman John Lewis.

10:22 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the need for additional COVID relief funds.

10:05 a.m. ML McConnell spoke about efforts to extend unemployment benefits.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the impact COVID has had on the motor coach industry.

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The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Derek Kan to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

At 1:30 the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Kan nomination.