Tuesday, May 16, 2017

6:20 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 9:30 a.m on Wednesday, May 17th. The next roll call vote will be at 12:00 p.m.  on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #35, Rachel L. Brand, of Iowa, to be Associate Attorney General.

6:20 p.m. Senate Minority Leader Schumer made remarks about a New York Times article regarding a memo written by the former FBI Director Comey regarding President Trump and the Michael Flynn investigation.

6:04 The Senate confirmed Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation by a vote of 56 to 42. Senators Isakson and Moran were absent. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

The Senate is considering the nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation. A vote on the nomination will occur at approximately 5:15 p.m.

3:16 p.m. The following legislation was passed by unanimous consent:

  • S.419 – To require adequate report on the public safety officer benefits programs.
  • S.139 – To implement the use of rapid D.N.A. instruments to inform decisions about retrial release.
  • S.583 – To amend the omnibus crime control and safe streets act of 1964.
  • S.867 – To provide support for law enforcement agency efforts to protect the mental earth and well-being of law enforcement officers.
  • S.J.Res. 22 – Establishing the Washington Metro Rail Safety Commission.

2:49 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the 21st Century Cures Act.

2:33 p.m. Senators Heitkamp and Heller spoke in honor of police week.

2:15 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke in honor of police week; and later to General Christopher Bodgan upon his upcoming retirement.

12:27 p.m. The Senate recessed until 2:15 p.m., to allow for party policy luncheons.

12:05 p.m. Senator Udall spoke in memory of New Mexico police officers who died in the line of duty. He spoke about President Trump’s reported discussion of U.S. intelligence findings with Russian officials.

12 p.m.  Majority Leader McConnell spoke about today’s business. Debate on the Rosen nomination will resume at 2:15 p.m. The Senate will vote on confirmation of the Rosen nomination at 5:15 p.m.  At noon Wednesday, the Senate will vote on cloture for the nomination of Rachel L. Brand of Iowa to be associate attorney general.

11:32 a.m. Senators Blunt, Coons, Grassley, Cornyn, and Klobuchar spoke about National Police Week.

11:16 a.m. Senator Cassidy spoke about the Affordable Care Act.

10:52 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the Trump Administration and Russia.

10:35 a.m. Senator Markey spoke about police week and President Trump possibly sharing sensitive information; and later in opposition to the Rosen nomination.

10:30 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about police week and the shooting last year in Dallas.

10:23 a.m. DL Schumer spoke about the President Trump and the possible sharing of sensitive information.

10:09 a.m. Senator Durbin responded to Majority Leader McConnell on health care.

10:03 a.m. ML McConnell spoke about health care.