Wednesday, July 21, 2021

6:05 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 22. They will be in morning business until 1:30 p.m. and will then proceed to Executive Session to vote on the nomination of Jill Hruby to be Under Secretary for Nuclear Security.

During wrap-up:

Passed, S. 89, Require the Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs to secure Medical Opinions for Veterans with service-connected disabilities who died from Covid-19

Passed, S. 189, cost of living adjustments for disability and compensation for veterans

Passed, S. 894, Identify and refer members of the armed forces with a health care occupation who are separating from the armed forces for potential employment with the VA

Passed, S. 1910, authorize major medical facility projects for the VA for 2021

Agreed to, S. Res. 139, recognizing the importance of the blueberry industry and July 2021 is National Blueberry Month

Agreed to, S. Res. 274, July 24, 2021 as National Day of the Cowboy

5:47 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke about the border.

5:40 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about election integrity.

5:07 p.m. Senator Cardin and Senator Wicker spoke about the Helsinki commission.

4:56 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about police funding.

4:31 p.m. Senator Braun spoke about the pledge of allegiance. The Senate agreed to S. Res. 309 (support for the pledge of allegiance) by unanimous consent.

3:53 p.m. Senators Leahy, Padilla and Klobuchar spoke about John Lewis and voting rights.

3:52 p.m. The motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Cal. #100, H.R.3684, the legislative vehicle for the bipartisan infrastructure was not agreed to by a vote of 49-51. Leader Schumer entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote on the motion to proceed.

3:17 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Cal. #100, H.R.3684, the legislative vehicle for the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

3:15 p.m. The Senate confirmed Bonnie Jenkins to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control & International Security 52-48 with Republicans Collins & Paul joining all Democrats & Independents in favor.

1:58 p.m. Senators Moran, Blunt, Hoeven, Marshall and Hyde-Smith spoke on family farms.

1:51 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the estate tax and family farms.

1:45 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about family farms.

1:27 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about his chief of staff.

1:13 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about voting rights.

1:11 By a vote of 52-48, the Jenkins motion to invoke cloture on nomination was agreed to. Republican Senators voting aye: Collins and Paul.

12:23 p.m. The Senate began a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #142 Bonnie D. Jenkins to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

12:21 p.m. By a vote of 51-50, the Senate confirmed Executive Calendar #246, Jennifer Ann Abruzzo to be General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board for a term of four years.

Vice President Harris cast the tie breaking vote.

11:23 a.m. The Senate is voting on Confirmation of Executive Calendar #246 Jennifer Ann Abruzzo to be General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board for a term of four years.

11:19 a.m. Senator Murray spoke on the need to raise the Federal minimum wage.

11:11 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about violence against police officers.

10:58 a.m. RL McConnell spoke on the bipartisan infrastructure legislation.

10:48 a.m. ML Schumer spoke on the bipartisan infrastructure legislation.

10:30 a.m. The Senate convened.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:30 a.m. and following Leader remarks, will resume consideration of the nomination of Bonnie Jenkins to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

Two votes at 11:30 a.m.:

  • Confirmation of the nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo to be General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board.
  • Cloture on the Jenkins nomination.

Two votes at 2:30 p.m.:

  • Confirmation of the Jenkins nomination.
  • Cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.3684, the legislative vehicle for the bipartisan infrastructure framework.