Thursday, May 2, 2019

4:40 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 6. They will resume consideration of Joseph Bianco to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the second circuit. A cloture vote on the nomination will occur at 5:30 p.m.

Passed during wrap up:

  • S. Res. 160-Recognizing Defense Laboratories
  • S.Res. 144-Designating May 5 National Day of Awareness For Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls
  • S. Res. 185-Commending the Northwest Missouri Bearcat Men’s Basketball Team
  • S. Res. 186-Recognizing April 30 as El Día de los Niños – Celebrating Young Americans
  • S. Res. 187-Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the Cinco De Mayo holiday.
  • S. 693-POW/MIA flag act

4:12 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about the Mueller Report.

3:33 p.m. Senator Capito spoke about Alzheimer’s Disease.

3:25 p.m. Senator Enzi spoke about the deficit and also about social security.

3:02 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about the economy and jobs and also about the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Coin Act.

2:56 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about Stephen Moore and the Federal Reserve.

2:43 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the Alaskan of the Week.

2:37 p.m. Senator Tillis spoke about the Barr hearing and the Special Counsel Report.

2:30 p.m. Senator Perdue spoke about Woody Woodside.

2:27 p.m.  Senator McConnell filed cloture on these nominations:

–Joseph Bianco to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.

–Kimberly Reed of West Virginia to be president of the Export-Import Bank.

— Spencer Bachus III to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. for a term expiring January 20, 2023;

— Judith Pryor to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. for a term expiring January 20, 2021;

— Janet Dhillon to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2022

— Michael Park to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.

2:26 p.m. By a vote of 53 to 45, the Senate failed to override the president’s veto of the Yemen troop withdrawal resolution. YEAS: 45 Democrats, both independents, Republicans Collins, Daines, Lee, Moran, Murkowski, Paul and Young. NAYS; All Republicans present. Not voting: Bennet and Rubio.

12:58 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke about Yemen.

12:43 p.m. Senator Lee spoke about Yemen.

12:21 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about Yemen.

12:11 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke about former Senator Lugar and Yemen.

12:04 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about NATO.

11:46 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about education, the Jenna Quinn Law, and immigration.

11:46 a.m. The Wolson nomination was confirmed by a vote of 65 to 33. Senators Carper, Casey, Coons, Jones, King, Leahy, Murphy, Rosen, Shaheen, Sinema, and Tester voted YES. Senators Bennet and Booker were absent.

11:26 a.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of Joshua Wolson to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

11:24 a.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Raul M. Arias-Marxuach to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico by a vote of 95-3. Senators Bennett and Booker did not vote. Senators Gillibrand, Sanders and Warren voted no.

11:03 a.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of Raul M. Arias-Marxuach to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico.

11:00 a.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Rodolfo Armando Ruiz II to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida by a vote of 90-8. Senators Booker and Bennett did not vote.

10:30 a.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the Ruiz nomination.

10:23 a.m. Senator Gardner paid tribute to Coloradan Bruce Benson.

10:18 a.m. Senator Gillibrand endorsed S.R.120, to oppose the movement to boycott Israel.

10:11 a.m. Senator Thune spoke in memory of Senator Lugar.

10:08 a.m. Senator Peters spoke about the Yemen resolution.

9:59 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about Attorney General Barr. He spoke about abortion rights.

9:33 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Yemen resolution. He spoke about nominations.

*****

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m.

Today’s schedule of votes is as follows:

At 10:30 a.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of these nominations:

o    Rodolfo Ruiz to be a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida;

o    Raul Arias-Marxuach to be a U.S. District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico;

o    Joshua Wolson to be a U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

At 1:45 p.m., the Senate will vote on whether to override the president’s veto of S.J.Res.7, a measure directing the removal of U.S. troops from Yemen. A two-thirds majority is required to override the veto.