Thursday, October 24, 2019

5:00 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene on Monday, October 28 at 3:00 p.m. They will resume consideration of H.R. 3055 with votes on  the Cortez Masto amendment (food distribution programs), the Paul amendment (reduce appropriations by 2 percent)and the Jones amendment (farmland relending program) to occur at 5:30 p.m.

During wrap-up:

  • Passed Calendar #198, S.2107: Protecting America’s Food & Agriculture Act.
  • Passed Calendar #197, S.2065, with committee-reported substitute: Deepfake Report Act.
  • Adopted S.Res.362: designating the week beginning on October 13, 2019, as “National Wildlife Refuge Week”
  • Adopted S.Res.379: National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.
  • Adopted S.Res.380: National Retirement Security Week.
  • Adopted S.Res.381: Day of the Deployed.
  • Adopted S.Res.382: National Principals Month.
  • Adopted S.Res.383: Lights on Afterschool.
  • Adopted S.Res.384: Legal Counsel.

4:13 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke about Syria.

3:42 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about Syria.

3:00 p.m. Senator Van Hollen asked unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to H.R. 549 (Temporary Protected Status) and that his amendment be agreed to. Senator Scott objected.

2:59 p.m. Senator Scott asked unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to H.R. 549 (Temporary Protected Status) and that his amendment be agreed to. Senator Van Hollen objected.

2:57 p.m. Senator Scott (FL) spoke about Venezuela.

2:46 p.m. Senator Manchin paid tribute to Capt. Charles T. Jones.

2:36 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke about the FUTURE Act and asked unanimous consent to adopt H.R. 2486. Senator Alexander objected.

2:36 p.m. The Walker nomination was confirmed on a party line vote of 50-41.

1:36 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the Walker nomination.

1:22 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on election interference and asked UC to take up and pass S. 1247, Senator Paul objected.

1:06 p.m. Senator Warner spoke on the situation in Syria and asked UC to take up and pass S. 2625, Senator Paul objected.

12:39 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on trade and the USMCA.

12:38 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Walker nomination on a party line tally of 50-39.

Senators not voting: 7 Democrats: Booker, Carper, Coons, Harris, Kaine, Whitehouse and Warren; 3 Republicans: Hyde Smith, Isakson and Moran; 1 Independent: Sanders.

12:00 p.m. The Senate returned and began a roll call vote on cloture on the nomination of Justin Walker to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky.

10:37 a.m. The Senate stands in recess until 12:00 noon.

10:21 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the impeachment inquiry, Syria, and Judicial nominations.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Walker nomination,  the opioid epidemic, and the impeachment inquiry.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Justin Walker to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky.

The Senate will recess from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon to allow for the Lying in State Honoring Rep. Elijah Cummings.

At 12:00 noon, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Walker nomination.

At 1:45 p.m., if cloture is invoked, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Walker nomination.