Tuesday, January 26, 2021

5:39 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

5:38 p.m. Senator Durbin wrapped up for the evening.

5:30 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the filibuster.

4:45 p.m. Senator Lee paid tribute to the National Guard working at the Capitol and later on abortion.

4:04 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on unity and the filibuster.

3:24 p.m. The Schumer resolution was agreed to 83-17.

Senators voting against: 17 Republicans: Blackburn, Cotton, Cruz, Daines, Hagerty, Hawley, Hyde-Smith, Johnson, Lee, Marshall, Paul, Risch, Rubio, Scott of Florida, Scott of South Carolina, Shelby and Tuberville.

3:19 p.m. Roll call vote began on the Schumer motion resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States.

3:18 p.m. The motion to table was agreed to 55-45, with Republicans Collins, Murkowski, Romney, Sasse and Toomey joining Democrats/Independents in favor.

3:09 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to table the Paul Constitutional point of order.

3:06 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke against Senator Paul’s point of order and moved to table the point of order.

3:05 p.m. Senator Paul raised a point of order that the proceeding tries a private citizen and not a President, Vice President, or civil officer and violates the Constitution.

3:04 p.m. Acting Sergeant at Arms read a proclamation.

2:38 p.m. Senators began signing the oath book in groups of 4.

2:37 p.m. Senator Leahy swore in members of the Senate.

2:36 p.m. Senator Grassley administered the oath of office to Senator Leahy.

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

12:40 p.m. Senators Paul and Johnson spoke against Impeachment.

12:39 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Antony Blinken to be Secretary of State by a tally of 78-22.

Voting against (22 Republicans): Senators Barrasso, Blackburn, Boozman, Braun, Cassidy, Cotton, Cramer, Cruz, Daines, Ernst, Hawley, Hoeven, Kennedy, Lankford, Lee, Lummis, Marshal,l Paul, Scott (FL), Scott (SC), Shelby, and Tuberville.

12:05 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the Blinken nomination to be Secretary of State.

12:00 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke in favor of the Blinken nomination.

11:56 a.m. Senator Risch spoke in favor of the Blinken nomination

11:32 a.m. Senator Paul spoke about the Blinken nomination.

10:53 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the power-sharing deal and the filibuster.

10:25 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the history of the filibuster. He spoke about the COVID crisis, the attack on the Capitol, and the nomination of Ali Mayorkas of be Secretary of Homeland Security.

10:22 a.m. Minority Leader McConnell spoke about the power-sharing deal and about the implications of killing the filibuster.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke about the Senate power-sharing agreement. He spoke about the confirmation of Antony Blinken’s nomination to be Secretary of State and other nominations. He spoke about coronavirus relief.

***

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

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Executive Calendar #3, Antony Blinken to be Secretary of State.

At 12:00 Noon, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Blinken nomination.

Following the confirmation vote, the Senate will be in a period of Morning Business, with Senator Paul recognized for up to 15 minutes. Following the remarks of Senator Paul, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings.

At 2:15 p.m. there will be a live quorum.

At 2:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the Article of Impeachment of Donald John Trump, former President of the United States. At that time, the oath will be administered to the Presiding Officer and Members of the Senate. An official photograph will be taken during the swearing in. It is possible that Senator Paul raises a Constitutional point of order and the Senate votes in relation to that point of order.