Wednesday, August 2, 2017

6:40 p.m. The Senate has adjourned until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, August 3rd and will hold a roll call vote at 11:00 a.m. on the motion to invoke cloture on  the motion to proceed to H.R. 2430, the FDA User Fees bill. At 11:45 a.m. the Senate will begin 15 minutes of debate on the nomination of Dan R. Brouillette, TX, to be Deputy Secretary of Energy and at 12:00 p.m. vote on confirmation.

During wrap-up the Senate passed S.Res. 244, to authorize testimony, document production, and representation in U.S.A. v. Robert Menendez et al, by unanimous consent.

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6:01 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about pediatric cancer, drugs and the FDA.

5:44 p.m. S. Res. 222, Designating July 26, 2017 U.S. Intelligence Professionals Day, was passed by unanimous consent and Senator Warner spoke about it.

5:38 p.m. Senator Flake spoke about the attack on USS Arizona.

5:30 p.m. The nomination of Marvin Kaplan was confirmed by a vote of 50-48. Not voting: Senators Burr and McCain.

4:50 p.m. Senator Warren spoke against the Kaplan nomination.

4:45 p.m. The following bills and resolutions were passed by unanimous consent:

  • S. 829 Assistance to Firefighters Grants program
  • S. 81 advisory office withing the Bureau of Consumer Protection of the FTC to prevent fraud targeting seniors
  • H.R. 3218 make certain improvements in the laws administered by the VA.

The following resolutions were passed en bloc: S. Res. 199, S. Res. 225, S. Res. 227, S. Res. 238

4:40 p.m. Senator Boozeman spoke about Bill Reid.

4:27 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about Veteran Appeals reform.

3:03 p.m. Senator Udall spoke against the pesticide Chlorpyifos.

2:52 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke supporting the Venezuelans hurt by the Maduro regime.

2:37 p.m. Senator Peters spoke about the need to protect our coastal resources.

2:02 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about rural internet.

1:47 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about LGBTQ in the military.

12:49 p.m. The Senate will vote on confirmation of the Kaplan nomination at 5:00 p.m. today. 

12:40 p.m. Senator Fischer paid tribute to Nebraskan Corporal Matthew Alexander.

12:29 p.m. Senator Brown spoke supporting workers.

12:09 p.m. Senator Casey spoke against the Kaplan nomination.

11:56 a.m. Senator Schatz spoke against the Kaplan nomination.

11:34 a.m. Senator Murray spoke supporting American workers.

11:31 a.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Kaplan nomination by a party line vote of 50-48. Senators Burr and McCain did not vote.

11:00 a.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Marvin Kaplan to be a member of the NLRB.

10:58 a.m. Senator Murray spoke against the Kaplan nomination.

10:45 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about rising health care premiums.

10:33 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the DACA program.

10:17 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about health care and tax reform.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Wray, Kaplan and Newsom nominations; FDA user fee legislation; and tax reform.

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The Senate will convene at 10:00 AM. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to resume consideration of Executive Calendar #175, Marvin Kaplan, of Kansas, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board with all time until 11:00 AM equally divided between the two Leaders or their designees.

At 11:00 AM, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Kaplan nomination.

Please note, Leader McConnell has filed cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.2430, FDA Reauthorization Act.