Tuesday, December 1, 2020

6:52 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

6:49 p.m. ML McConnell wrapped up for the evening.

6:14 p.m. Senator Portman lined up votes for Wednesday; two votes at 11:45 on confirmation of the Hauptman nomination and cloture on the nomination of Kathryn Davis to be a judge of the US Court of Federal Claims; and then spoke on passing Covid relief.

4:27 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the appointment of John Durham as a special counsel, and later on priorities to do before the 116th Congress ends.

4:10 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke about the Cares act and lending practices.

3:29 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke in favor of the Hauptman nomination.

3:29 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Hauptman nomination, 56-37.

Democrats in favor: Hassan, Jones, King (I), Shaheen, Sinema and Warner.

Not voting; Harris, Inhofe, Loeffler, McSally, Sanders, Schatz and Whitehouse.

3:02 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Kyle Hauptman to be a member of the National Credit Union Administration.

3:01 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of J. Philip Calabrese, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio by a vote of 58-35.

Democrats voting AYE: Senators Brown, Carper, Hassan, Jones, Manchin, Murphy, Sinema and Tester.

Not voting: Senators Harris, Inhofe, Loeffler, McSally, Sanders, Schatz, and Whitehouse.

2:15 p.m. The Senate reconvened and began a roll call vote on confirmation of J. Philip Calabrese to be a District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio.

The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.

12:19 p.m. Senator Young gained unanimous consent for following: At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Democratic Leader, the Finance committee will be discharged from and the Senate will proceed to the immediate consideration of S.578, ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019.

  • The only amendment in order will be the Grassley amendment to increase the overpayment collection threshold for old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits, which is at the desk.
  • The Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on adoption of the Grassley amendment. Subject to an affirmative 60-vote threshold.
  • Upon disposition of the Grassley amendment, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on passage of S.578, as amended, if amended. Subject to an affirmative 60 vote threshold.

12:18 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of J. Philip Calabrese, to be US District Judge for the Northern District of OH by a vote of 58-35.

Democrats voting AYE: Senators Brown, Carper, Hassan, Jones, Manchin, Murphy, Sinema and Tester.

Not voting: Senators Harris, Inhofe, Loeffler, McSally, Sanders, Schatz, and Whitehouse.

11:44 a.m. The Senate began a vote on the Motion to Invoke Cloture on Executive Calendar #864, J. Philip Calabrese, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio.

11:43 a.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Taylor McNeel by a tally of 53-39.

Democrats voting AYE: Senators Cardin, Jones, Manchin and Sinema.

Senators not voting: Harris, Hawley, Inhofe, Loeffler, McSally, Sanders, Schatz and Whitehouse.

10:59 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Cal. #893 McNeel to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of MS

10:41 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the Coronavirus.

10:35 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the Coronavirus.

10:26 a.m. DL Schumer spoke on the remainder of the congressional schedule and on the nomination of Neera Tanden to be OMB director in President-elect Biden’s Administration.

10:04 a.m. ML McConnell spoke on the Coronavirus and paid tribute to Senator McSally.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley pair tribute to Joe Morton of the Omaha World Herald.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Taylor McNeel to be a Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi, post-cloture.

At 11:00 a.m., all post-cloture debate time on the McNeel nomination will be considered expired, and the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes relative to the following:

  • Confirmation of the nomination of Taylor McNeel to be a Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi.
  • Cloture on the nomination of J. Philip Calabrese to be a Judge for the Northern District of Ohio.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for the weekly caucus luncheons.

At 2:15 p.m., if cloture is invoked, all post-cloture debate time on the Calabrese nomination will be considered expired and the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes relative to the following:

  • Confirmation of the nomination of J. Philip Calabrese to be a Judge for the Northern District of Ohio.
  • Cloture on the nomination of Kyle Hauptman to be a Member of the National Credit Union Administration Board.