Tuesday, April 17, 2018

6:25 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

6:20 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about the Coast Guard authorization.

6:14 p.m. By voice votes, the Senate passed these measures:

— S. 1281, to establish a pilot bounty program in the Homeland Security Department;

— S.Res. 471, to establish March 29, 2018 as Vietnam Veterans Day;

— S. Res. 471, to establish April 5, 2018 as Gold Star Mothers Day.

Leader McConnell secured consent for two votes to occur at noon Wednesday:

1. On passage of S.J.Res. 57, to disapprove of an automobile lending regulation;

2. On cloture for S. 140, which contains the Coast Guard authorization.

6:03 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke about an initiative for new congressional parents and their children.

5:52 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about the tax program.

5:34 p.m. Senator Heller spoke about the new tax program.

5:31 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke about the auto loan regulatory issue.

4:20 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 5:30 for an all Senators briefing.

4:00 p.m. Senator Perdue spoke supporting  S.J.Res 57

3:44 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke supporting S.J.Res 57

3:35 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about tax day.

3:12 p.m. Senator Brown spoke against S.J.Res 57

2:59 p.m. Senator Moran spoke supporting S.J.Res. 57

2:44 p.m. Senator Crapo spoke in favor of S.J.Res. 57

2:43 p.m. The motion to proceed was agreed to 50-47.

Senator Manchin joined all Republicans present voting in favor.

Senators Duckworth, McCain and Tillis did not vote.

2:15 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to proceed to S. J Res 57, a resolution of disapproval re: “Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act”.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from the recess.

12:30 p.m. Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.

12:26 p.m. Senator Young spoke on tax reform.

12:25 p.m. Senator Cornyn entered a UC that at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday the Senate resume consideration of the Muniz nomination with one hour of debate time remaining, and that after the use or yielding back of time the Senate vote on the nomination.  Further it is expected ML McConnell will offer a motion to proceed to SJ Res 57, a resolution of disapproval re: “Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act”; and a roll call vote on that motion is likely to occur at 2:15 p.m today.

12:23 p.m. Senator Gillibrand spoke against the Muniz nomination.

12:12 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on missile strikes in Syria; and later tax reform.

12:04 p.m. Senator Flake spoke about border protection and DACA and asked unanimous consent to pass H.R. 1551 and the Flake substitute amendment. Senator Cotton objected.

11:51 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about tax reform.

11:32 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about tax reform.

11:17 a.m. Senator Stabenow spoke about the Coast Guard reauthorization.

11:05 a.m. Senator Warren spoke about the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

10:25 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer noted that the presiding officer, Senator Hyde-Smith, was in the chair for the first time. He spoke about the tribal labor bill. He spoke about the Mueller investigation. He spoke about taxes.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Coast Guard reauthorization. He said action would first come on the resolution to disapprove of an auto loan regulation. He spoke about taxes.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m., and will proceed to the consideration of Carlos G. Muniz to be general counsel of the Department of Education.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings.

Cloture has been filed on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.140, amended to include the Coast Guard reauthorization.

Cloture has also been filed on the nomination of James Bridenstine, of Oklahoma, to be administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Action is possible this week on:

Nominations, resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act, and Coast Guard reauthorization.