Wednesday, February 9, 2022

7:58 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 10:00am.

7:52 p.m. By a vote of 48-47, the motion to discharge the nomination of Samuel R. Bagenstos, to be General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services. is agreed to.

7:33 p.m. The Senate began voting on a motion to discharge from the Finance Committee the nomination of Samuel Bagenstos to be General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services.

7:32 p.m. By a vote of 61-33, the Senate confirmed Neil MacBride to be General Counsel of the Treasury.

7:18 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the nomination of Neil MacBride to be General Counsel of the Treasury.

7:17 p.m. By a vote of 61-35, the Senate confirmed Leonard Philip Stark to be United States Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit

7:05 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the confirmation of Leonard Philip Stark to be United States Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit

7:04 p.m. By a vote of 56-40, The Senate confirmed Reta Lewis to be President of the Export-Import Bank.

Senators Cassidy, Collins, Graham, Kennedy, Portman, Romney and Wicker voted with Democrats.

6:48 p.m. The Senate began a vote on confirmation of the nomination of Reta Lewis to be President of the Export-Import Bank.

6:47 p.m. By a vote of 75-21, the Senate confirmed Alexandra Baker to be a Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.

6:05 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the confirmation of Alexandra Baker to be a Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.

5:53 p.m. Senator Sanders asked unanimous consent to proceed to the consideration of S. 3615. Senator Crapo objected.

5:50 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke on prescription drug prices.

5:31 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke about the Democrat Legislative Agenda and prescription drugs.

5:24 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about Wall Street.

5:01 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about SCOTUS.

4:52 p.m. Senator Tuberville spoke about Title IX.

4:39 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about Dr. Anthony Fauci and COVID-19.

4:28 p.m. Senator Tillis spoke about Senate procedure.

4:20 p.m. Senators Rubio and Scott (FL) paid tribute to the victims and families of the 2018 Parkland High School shooting. Senator Scott asked for Unanimous Consent of S. Res. 42 A resolution honoring the memories of the victims of the senseless attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018 to be agreed to. There was no objection.

4:04 p.m. Senator Shaheen announced that starting at 6 p.m. there will be upwards of 5 roll call votes. Additionally, she spoke about national security and the Budget.

3:48 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the Biden Administration.

3:47 p.m. By a vote of 79-17, the Senate confirmed John Coffey to be General Counsel of the Department of the Navy.

3:01 p.m. The Senate is voting on confirmation of John Coffey to be General Counsel or the Department of the Navy

3:00 p.m. By a vote of 93-2, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Douglas Bush to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army.

-Senators Hawley and Scott of FL voted No

2:19 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the Confirmation of Douglas R. Bush, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army.

2:12 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about crime.

2:06 p.m. Senator Johnson spoke about crime.

1:58 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about crime.

1:49 p.m. Senator Marshall spoke about crime.

1:35 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke about crime.

1:25 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about crime.

1:05 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about dark money donations.

1:04 p.m. By a vote of 95-2, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Douglas Bush to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army.

Senators Hawley and Scott of FL voted against. Not voting: Senators Barrasso, Lujan and Rounds.

12:20 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture of Douglas Bush to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army.

12:19 p.m. By a vote of 72-24, the Senate confirmed Scott Nathan to be Chief Executive Officer of the International Development Finance Corporation. Senators voting against: Blackburn, Boozman, Braun, Cotton, Cruz, Daines, Ernst, Fischer, Hoeven, Hyde-Smith, Inhofe, Johnson, Lankford, Lee, Lummis, Marshall, Moran, Paul, Rubio, Scott, Scott, Shelby, Tuberville and Wicker.
Senators not voting: Lujan and Rounds.

11:33 a.m. The Senate began a vote on confirmation of the nomination of Scott Nathan to be Chief Executive Officer of the International Development Finance Corporation.

11:23 a.m. Senator Cotton spoke on school mask mandates and asked unanimous consent to call up and pass S. 3604, Senator Murray objected.

11:14 a.m. Senator Toomey spoke on the Lewis nomination.

11:06 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on inflation.

11:01 a.m. Senator Moran spoke recognizing the Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens Men’s Basketball team.

10:41 a.m. RL McConnell spoke on increases in violent crime.

10:20 a.m. ML Schumer spoke on postal reform, on forced arbitration for sexual assault, and on stock trading by members of Congress legislation.

10:19 a.m. ML Schumer completed the Rule XIV process and placed the following bills on the calendar:

  • S. 3600, a bill to improve the cybersecurity of the Federal Government, and for other purposes
  • H.R. 3076, a bill to provide stability to and enhance the services of the United States Postal Service, and for other purposes.
  • H.R. 6617, a bill making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

*****

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

At approximately 11:30 a.m. the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination of Scott Nathan to be Chief Executive Officer of the International Development Finance Corporation and cloture on the nomination of Douglas Bush to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army.

If cloture is invoked, at approximately 2:15 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Bush nomination.

Additional roll call votes are expected during Wednesday’s session in relation to the below nominations:
1. John Coffey to be General Counsel of the Department of the Navy.
2. Alexandra Baker to be a Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.
3. Reta Lewis to be President of the Export-Import Bank.
4. Leonard Stark to be United States Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit.
5. Neil MacBride to be General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury