Thursday, March 12, 2020

5:56 p.m. The Senate adjourned until Monday, March 16 at 3:00 p.m. and next vote will occur at 5:30 p.m.

Senator Murkowski conducted wrap up and the Senate passed the following by unanimous consent.

Agreed to H.Con.Res.87, authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.

 Passed H.R.4920, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an exception to certain small business contracting requirements applicable to the Department of Veterans Affairs procurement of certain goods and services covered under the Ability One program, and for other purposes, with Tester substitute amendment

Completed the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business H.R.6172: to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to prohibit the production of certain business records

5:17 p.m. Senators Schumer, Murray, Fischer and Hirono spoke on the coronavirus.

3:34 p.m. Senator Lee spoke on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He asked for unanimous consent to proceed to a bill that would extend FISA for 45 days. Senator Burr objected.

3:03 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about coronavirus.

2:58 p.m. Senator Boozman paid tribute to Officer Brent Scrimshaw.

2:45 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about the Equal Rights Amendment.

2:22 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about coronavirus.

2:21 p.m. The Danly nomination was confirmed, 52-40.

Senators voting in favor: 49 Republicans, 3 Democrats: Jones, Manchin and Sinema.

Senators voting against: 39 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators not voting: 3 Democrats: Cantwell, Klobuchar and Warren; 4 Republicans: Cruz, Moran, Perdue and Scott of Florida; 1 Independent: Sanders.

1:45 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of James Danly to be a member of FERC.

1:41 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke in support of the Danly nomination.

12:41 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke on climate change affects on Louisiana.

12:33 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on coronavirus and prescription drugs.

12:20 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about Sunshine Week and the importance of transparency and accountability.

12:19 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of James Danly by a tally of 54-40.

Senators voting in favor: 51 Republicans, 3 Democrats: Jones, Manchin and Sinema.

Senators voting against: 39 Democrats; 1 Independent: King.

Senators not voting: 3 Democrats: Cantwell, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Cruz and Perdue; 1 Independent: Sanders.

11:44 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of James Danly to be a member of FERC.

11:26 a.m. Senator Murkowski spoke honoring Ashley Johnson-Barr.

11:12 a.m. Senator Murkowski spoke supporting the Danly nomination.

10:26 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the virus. He urged Senate Republicans to act on the House measures to fight the coronavirus. He also spoke against the Danly nomination.

9:34 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the suspension of Capitol tours and other responses to the coronavirus epidemic. He criticized the House speaker’s proposals on the virus. He spoke about reauthorization of surveillance programs.

9:32 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the virus and about the cherry blossom season.

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. and will resume consideration of the nomination James P. Danly, of Tennessee, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. At 11:45 a.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Danly nomination.

If cloture is invoked, at 1:45 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Danly nomination.

Additional roll call votes are possible during Thursday’s session.