5:55 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on the environment.

5:45 p.m. Leader McConnell wrapped up and set the schedule.

5:08 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about Inspector General’s report into the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation.

4:54 p.m. Senators Ernst and Cornyn spoke supporting the Debbie Smith act. Senator Cornyn asked u.c. to pass H.R. 777, Debbie Smith Re-authorization Act of 2019. The bill was passed by u.c.

4:31 p.m. Senators Enzi and Whitehouse spoke on the bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act.

4:16 p.m. Senator Romney spoke honoring Commissioner Howard.

4:05 p.m. Senator Barasso spoke about the anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.

3:48 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about appropriations.

3:28 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about taxes.

3:17 p.m. Senator Capito spoke about appropriations.

3:11 p.m. Senator Scott (FL) spoke about Venezuela.

3:00 p.m. Senator Hyde Smith paid tribute to Senator Isakson.

2:54 p.m. Senator Gardner paid tribute to first responders, signaling out 5 Coloradoans who died in the line of duty in 2019.

2:48 p.m. Senator Manchin paid tribute to a West Virginian World War II veteran who recently passed away.

2:20 p.m. Senator Hoeven introduced Senator Cramer who gave his “official” maiden speech.

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

1:o4 p.m. The Senate recessed until 2:15 p.m.

12:59 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke on the adopted NDAA conference report.

12:58 p.m. The Senate adopted the Conference report 86-8.

Senators voting against: 4 Democrats: Gillibrand, Markey, Merkley and Wyden; 4 Republicans: Braun, Enzi, Lee and Paul.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, and Warren; 1 Independent: Sanders; 1 Republican: Isakson.

12:02 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the conference report accompanying S.1790, NDAA.

11:56 a.m. Senator Inhofe spoke supporting the S. 1790, Conference Report to accompany the Defense Authorization. Senator Inhofe moved to waive all budget points of order.

11:51 a.m. Senator Collins spoke urging support for the Conference Report to accompany S. 1790 and highlighted the repeal of the military widows tax.

11:41 a.m. Senator Jones spoke supporting the NDAA and the repeal of the widows tax.

11:20 a.m. Senator Reed spoke supporting the Conference Report to accompany S.1790, Defense Authorization.

11:16 a.m. Senator Enzi spoke on the Budget and on the budgetary impact of the NDAA.

11:07 a.m. Senator Paul spoke on the NDAA and need for fiscally responsible defense spending.

10:53 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about impeachment trial rules.

10:46 a.m. The Senate resumed consideration of the defense bill. Senator Murray spoke about Democratic nominations to the National Labor Relations Board.

10:16 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about impeachment. He reviewed to rules in force during the Clinton impeachment and the proposal by Minority Leader Schumer. He spoke about the defense authorization.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about tax policy.

*****

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

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the conference report accompanying S.1790, Defense Authorization.

11:45 a.m. – up to 2 roll call votes:

1.       If a budget point of order is raised, Motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the conference report accompanying S.1790, NDAA.

2.       Adoption of the conference report accompanying S.1790, NDAA.

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