Tuesday, February 15, 2022

6:16 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday.

6:13 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer wrapped up for the day.

5:45 p.m. Senator Wicker paid tribute to Lusia Harris and her basketball triumphs and recent Academy Award nomination, and later to Ruthie Bolton on her own basketball career.

5:35 p.m. Senators Hoeven and Cramer paid tribute to Wayne Stenehjem who recently passed away.

5:09 p.m. Senator Toomey responded to Senator Brown on the Federal Reserve nominees.

5:01 p.m. Senator Lummis paid tribute to Leland Christensen who recently passed away.

4:45 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the Violence Against Women Act.

4:20 p.m. Senator Brown spoke in favor of the Federal Reserve nominees.

3:45 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke on the appropriations process and the need for funds in Louisiana.

3:40 p.m. Senator Warren spoke in favor of Biden’s Fed nominee.

3:25 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke absurdity of the Biden Administration’s notice from the Homeland Security terror threat to the US.

3:20 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke on why she objects to reopening the Capitol to the public right now.

3:15 p.m. Senator Hagerty spoke on the need to reopen the Capitol complex to the public. He also called for the passage of S. Res 512. Senator Klobuchar objected.

3:07 p.m. Senator Tillis spoke against the Gigi Sohn nomination.

2:59 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the economy.

2:47 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the Durham Report.

2:22 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke about Ukraine.

2:16 p.m. Senator Moran spoke in support of the Postal Service Reform Act.

1:15 p.m. The Califf nomination was confirmed, 50-46. GOP in favor: Blunt, Burr, Collins, Murkowski, Romney & Toomey. Dems/Ind against: Blumenthal, Hassan, Markey, Manchin & Sanders. Voting present: Rounds (in order to pair with Lujan who would have voted in favor had he been able). Not voting: Capito, Graham & Lujan*.

12:00 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on confirmation of Robert McKinnon Califf to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services.

11:59 a.m Senator Murray spoke in favor of the Califf nomination.

11:59 a.m. Senator Manchin spoke against the Califf nomination to be commissioner of Food and Drugs.

11:55 a.m. Senator Burr spoke in favor of the Califf nomination to be commissioner of Food and Drugs.

11:50 a.m. Senator Daines spoke against the Califf nomination to be commissioner of Food and Drugs.

11:45 a.m. Senator Warner spoke on Russia and the possibility of an invasion.

11:30 a.m. Senator Markey spoke in support for the Califf nomination to be commissioner of Food and Drugs.

11:10 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on inflation.

10:51 a.m. Senator Durbin paid tribute to his staffer, Cory Tellez and then Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder.

10:42 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke about the economy and the Raskin nomination.

10:21 a.m. Leader Schumer spoke on postal reform, appropriations, nominations, and the economy.

10:20 a.m. H.R. 3766 was placed on the calendar under Rule 14.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following leader remarks, will resume consideration of the nomination of Celeste Ann Wallander to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

12:00 noon – 1 vote:

  1. Confirmation of Robert McKinnon Califf to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services.

Following the vote on the Califf nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. for the weekly caucus lunches.

Just a reminder, cloture was filed on (ripen on Wednesday):

  • Executive Calendar #692 Celeste Ann Wallander to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.
  • Executive Calendar #476 David A. Honey to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.