Thursday, March 23, 2017

5:54 p.m. The Senate adjourned until Monday, March 27th at 3:00 p.m. Next vote will occur at 5:30 p.m.

5:27 p.m. Senator Peters spoke on Russian interference in U.S. elections.

5:08 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke on the Gorsuch nomination.

4:08 p.m. Senator Reed spoke about concern over Russian interference in the elections.

3:16 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about the repeal of Obamacare.

3:10 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about the smuggling and trafficking of narcotics.

2:35 p.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on Executive Calendar #1, Treaty Document Number 114-12, Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of Montenegro, and announced that the cloture vote will be on Monday night at 5:30 p.m.

2:32 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of David Friedman to be Ambassador to Israel by a vote of 52-46.

Senators voting in favor: 50 Republicans, 2 Democrats (Manchin and Menendez).

Senators voting against: 44 Democrats, 2 Independents.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul.

2:10 p.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of David Friedman to be Ambassador to Israel.

2:05 p.m. Sentor Cardin spoke against the Friedman nomination.

1:57 p.m. Senator Rounds spoke about health care.

1:55 p.m. Senator Rounds asked u.c. that the Senate proceed to a vote on the nomination of David Friedman to be Ambassador to Israel at 2:15 p.m.

1:42 p.m. Senator Franken spoke against the Friedman nomination.

1:32 p.m. Senator Udall spoke against the Friedman nomination.

1:30 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke against the Friedman nomination.

1:28 p.m. By a vote of 52-46, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of David Friedman to be Ambassador to Israel.

Senators voting in favor: 50 Republicans, 2 Democrats (Manchin and Menendez).

Senators voting against: 44 Democrats, 2 Independents.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul.

1:08 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of David Friedman to be Ambassador to Israel.

1:07 p.m. By a vote of 50-48, the Senate adopted S.J.Res 34.

Senators voting in favor: 50 Republicans.

Senators voting against: 46 Democrats, 2 Independents.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul.

12:25 p.m. Roll call vote began on adoption of S.J.Res 34, the FCC Privacy CRA.

12:20 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke about the FCC privacy CRA.

11:52 a.m. Senator Harris spoke against the repeal of Obamacare.

11:45 a.m. Senator Blumethal spoke about the FCC privacy CRA.

11:21 a.m. Senator McConnell asked u.c that at approximately 12:25 p.m. the Senate proceed to two roll call votes. 1) Adoption of S.J.Res. 34, the FCC Privacy CRA 2) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #20, David Friedman to be Ambassador to Israel.

11:06 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke about Russian interferance and collusion with members of the Trump campaign.

10:47 a.m. Senator Wyden concurred with Senator Markey’s remarks and spoke about privacy rights.

10:35 a.m. Senator Markey spoke about the importance of broadband privacy.

10:10 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the health care bill in the House, the attack in London and the Gorsuch nomination.

10:01 a.m. Senator Murray spoke about the health care bill now before the House.

9:48 a.m. Senator Cardin spoke about the SEC rule.

9:33 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the terrorist attack in London.    He spoke about the upcoming vote on whether to disapprove of a proposed FCC regulation on an internet issue. He spoke about the Gorsuch nomination.

* * *

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. and will resume consideration of S.J. Res. 34, to disapprove of a proposed FCC rule.

A vote is expected on the resolution but has not yet been scheduled.