7:15 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 11, 2019.
7:02 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke on the Bernhardt nomination.
Senator Barasso conducted wrap up and the following bills were passed:
By voice vote, passed Calendar #18, S.94, Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act
By voice vote, adopted Calendar #58, S.Res.35, supporting democratic principles and standards in Bolivia and throughout Latin America, w/committee-reported amendment to the preamble.
By voice vote, adopted Calendar #59, S.Res.67, expressing the sense of the Senate on the importance and vitality of the United States alliances with Japan and the Republic of Korea, and our trilateral cooperation in the pursuit of shared interests, w/committee-reported amendment to the preamble.
Adopted Calendar #60, S.Res.95, recognizing the 198th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating democracy in Greece and the United States.
Adopted S. Res.155, relative to the death of the Honorable Ernest F. Hollings, former United States Senator for the State of South Carolina,
Adopted S. Res.156, supporting the goals and ideals of “Take our Daughters and Sons to Work
Day”
Adopted S. Res.157, supporting the designation of April 2019 as “Parkinson’s Awareness Month”
Adopted S. Res.158, authorizing the use of the atrium in the Philip A. Hart Senate Office Building for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a semiannual event of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Agreed to H.Con.Res 16, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition.
Agreed to H.Con.Res 19, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
Completed the Rule 14 process to place H.R.1585, to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, on the Legislative Calendar of Business.
6:58 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Bernhardt nomination by a vote of 56 to 41. Senators Heinrich, King, Manchin and Sinema voted YES. Senators Booker and Harris did not vote.
6:40 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of David Bernhardt to be Secretary of the Interior.
6:38 p.m. The Morales nomination was confirmed by a vote of 56 to 41. Senators Jones, Manchin, and Sinema voted YES. Senators Booker and Harris did not vote.
6:04 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of David Morales to be US District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.
5:50 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about banks.
5:22 p.m. Senator Udall spoke against the Bernhardt nomination.
4:36 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke on the Bernhardt nomination.
4:21 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke on the Abizaid nominaton.
4:18 p.m. Senator Daines spoke on healthcare.
4:18 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Morales nomination by a vote of 57 to 41. Senators Jones, Kaine, Manchin and Sinema votes YES. Senators Booker and Harris did not vote.
3:49 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of David Morales to be US District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.
3:45 p.m. The nomination of Holly Brady was confirmed by a vote of 56-42.
Senators in favor: 53 Republicans, 3 Democrats: Jones, Manchin and Sinema.
Senators opposed: 41 Democrats, 2 Independents: King and Sanders.
Senators not voting: 2 Democrats: Booker and Harris
3:07 p.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of Holly Brady to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana.
2:57 p.m. Senator Whitehouse gave his weekly climate change speech.
2:32 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about socialism and also about the auto industry.
2:25 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the tax cuts.
2:11 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about tax cuts.
2:06 p.m. Senator Young spoke about tax cuts and jobs.
2:00 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about the tax cuts and economy.
1:54 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke about tax cuts.
1:46 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about Venezuela.
1:33 p.m. Senator Shelby paid tribute to former Senator Hollings.
1:14 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke in encouragement of whistle blowers.
1:13 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Brady nomination, 56-43.
Senators in favor: 53 Republicans, 3 Democrats: Jones, Manchin and Sinema.
Senators opposed: 41 Democrats, 2 Independents: King and Sanders.
Senators not voting: 1 Democrat: Booker.
12:48 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on cloture on the nomination of Holly Brady to be a District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana.
12:48 p.m. The Abizaid nomination was confirmed 92-7.
Senators voting against: 6 Democrats (Gillibrand, Harris, Klobuchar, Markey, Merkley and Warren); 1 Independent: Sanders
Senators not voting: 1 Democrat: Booker.
12:23 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of John Abizaid to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
12:23 p.m. The Stanton nomination was confirmed 53-45.
Senators in favor: 53 Republicans
Senators against: 43 Democrats, 2 Independents (King and Sanders)
Senators not voting: 2 Democrats: Booker and Klobuchar
11:48 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the confirmation of Cheryl Stanton to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor.
11:14 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about VAWA and sexual assault victims.
10:55 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke against the Bernhardt nomination, on disaster aid and on the Department of Homeland Security.
10:41 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about taxes.
10:20 a.m. Senator Menendez spoke on the Abizaid nomination.
9:49 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell received unanimous consent for the second reading of H.R. 1585 to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act under Rule 14 and spoke about nominations.
9:47 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the FBI Clinton investigation.
****
The Senate will convene at 9:45 a.m.
Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Cheryl Stanton to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor.
11:45 a.m. – up to 3 roll call votes:
1. Confirmation of Cheryl Stanton to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor
2. Confirmation of John Abizaid to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (voice vote possible)
3. Motion to invoke cloture on Holly Brady to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana.
Cloture petitions are also pending on the following nominations:
- David Morales to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas
- David Bernhardt to be Secretary of the Interior.
If cloture is invoked on the Brady and Morales nominations, there would be up to 2 hours of debate prior to a vote on confirmation. Then there would be a cloture vote on the next nomination. If cloture is invoked on the Bernhardt nomination, there would be up to 30 hours of debate prior to a vote on confirmation.