Wednesday, February 16, 2022

6:20 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

6:19 p.m. ML Schumer announced in wrap up that the Senate adjourn until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.

6:05 p.m. Senator Murkowski paid tribute to constituent, Elizabeth Poratovic.

5:56 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke on nominations. Senator Merkley asked unanimous consent to call up the nomination of Julieta Noyes, to be an Assistant Secretary of State. Senator Scott of FL objected.

5:15 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about crime.

5:10 p.m. By a vote of 94-1, the Senate confirmed David A. Honey to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense. Senator Hawley voted no

Senators Feinstein, Graham, Kelly, Lujan, and Whitehouse did not vote.

4:32 p.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of David A. Honey to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.

4:31 p.m. By a vote of 83-13, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Celeste Wallander to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

3:51 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #692 Celeste Ann Wallander to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

3:39 p.m. Senator Brown spoke on US Attorney nominations.

3:35 p.m. Senator Duckworth spoke in support of Executive Calendar #742 – LaDon A. Reynolds, of Illinois, to be United States Marshall for the Northern District of Illinois for the term of four years.

3:28 p.m. Senator Cortez Masto spoke on US Attorney nominations.

3:24 p.m. Senator Rosen spoke on US Attorney nominations.

3:10 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke in support of two United States Attorney nominations from Minnesota.
-Executive Calendar #662 – Andrew M. Luger, of Minnesota, to be United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota for a term of four years
-Executive Calendar #741 – Eddie M. Frizelle, of Minnesota, to be United States Marshall for the District of Minnesota for the term of four year

2:46 p.m. Senator Durbin asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to proceeded to consideration the nominations listed below. Senator Cotton objected.
-Executive Calendar #660 – Ryan Buchanan of Georgia to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia for the term of four years
-Executive Calendar #661 – Jason M. Frierson, of Nevada, to be United States Attorney for the District of Nevada for the term of four years
-Executive Calendar #662 – Andrew M. Luger, of Minnesota, to be United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota for a term of four years
-Executive Calendar #663 – Mark A. Totton, of Michigan, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan for the term of four years.
-Executive Calendar #739 – Marisa T. Darden, of Ohio, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio for the term of four years
-Executive Calendar #740 – Delia L. Smith, of the Virgin Islands, to be United States Attorney for the District of the Virgin Islands for the term of four years
-Executive Calendar #741 – Eddie M. Frizelle, of Minnesota, to be United States Marshall for the District of Minnesota for the term of four years
-Executive Calendar #742 – LaDon A. Reynolds, of Illinois, to be United States Marshall for the Northern District of Illinois for the term of four years.

2:41 p.m. ML Schumer spoke about US Attorneys.

2:38 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about US Attorneys.

2:09 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on American energy.

1:40 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on the devastating effects of the pandemic.

1:28 p.m. Senators Moran and Tester spoke supporting the Health Care Burn Pit for Veterans Act. Senator Tester asked unanimous consent to call up and pass S. 3541, Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act. The bill was passed by voice vote.

1:05 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about open positions on the Federal Reserve Board.

1:01 p.m. By a vote of 93-3, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of David A. Honey to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.

Senators Blackburn, Hawley, and Tuberville voted against.

Not Voting – Senators Feinstein, Graham, Kelly and Lujan

12:16 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #476 David A. Honey to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.

12:15 p.m. By a vote of 81-13, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Celeste Ann Wallander to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.


-Senators voting no – Blackburn, Braun, Cruz, Ernst, Hagerty, Hawley, Johnson, Lankford, Lee, Lummis, Moran, Scott (SC), and Tuberville
-Not Voting – Feinstein, Graham, Kelly, Lujan, Sanders and Toomey

11:34 a.m. The Senate is now voting on the Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #692 Celeste Ann Wallander to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

11:24 a.m. Senator Cardin spoke about West Virginia vs. E.P.A.

11:18 a.m. Senator Fischer spoke about the Nebraskans and the Super Bowl.

10:59 a.m. Senator Markey spoke about Russia and fossil fuels.

10:43 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the southern border.

10:31 a.m. ML Schumer spoke about the economy, the CR and upcoming nominations.

10:11 a.m. RL McConnell spoke about Russia, Afghanistan and schools.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of Executive Calendar #692, Celeste Wallander to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

At 11:30 a.m.— two votes:
1. Cloture on the Wallander nomination.
2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #476, David Honey to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.

At 3:30 p.m.— two votes:
1. Confirmation of the Wallander nomination.
2. Confirmation of the Honey nomination.

Additional votes are possible on Wednesday. 

During wrap-up on Tuesday, Majority Leader Schumer filed cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.6617, continuing resolution to March 11th; which could be considered on Wednesday.