Wednesday, June 20, 2018

The Senate is considering H.R.5895, Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and VA Appropriations.

The Senate has adjourned until 9:45 a.m. Thursday, June 21. Following leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 5895.

*Majority Leader McConnell filed cloture on the Shelby substitute amendment #2910 to H.R. 5895 and H.R. 5895 but expects that the Senate will          finish up H.R. 5895 tomorrow afternoon.

During wrap-up:

  • 1st reading en bloc:
    • 3093, To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to address the protective custody of alien children accompanied by parents.
    • 3100, To establish the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area in the State of Washington.
  • Passed by unanimous consent en bloc:
    • Res. 553, designating June 20, 2018, as “American Eagle Day” and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.
    • Res. 554, designating the month of June 2018 as “National Post- Traumatic Stress Awareness Month” and June 27, 2018, as “National Post Traumatic Stress Awareness Day”.
    • Res. 555, recognizing the freedom of Muslims of the United States to exercise their religion and participate in the civil systems of their country.
  • R. 770, American Innovation $1 Coin Act and the Murphy amendment, was passed by voice vote.

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8:10 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about immigration.

7:57 p.m. Senator Harris spoke about immigration.

7:53 p.m. Senator Hassan spoke about immigration.

7:45 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about immigration.

7:39 p.m. Senator Bennett spoke about immigration.

7:32 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke about immigration.

7:25 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke about immigration.

7:18 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about immigration.

7:13 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about immigration.

6:58 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration.

6:52 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about immigration.

6:45 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke about immigration.

6:40 p.m.Senator Klobuchar spoke about immigration.

6:35 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on amendment #2910 to H.R. 5895 and H.R. 5895 but McConnell expects to finish up H.R. 5895 tomorrow afternoon. 

5;59 p.m. Senator Brown spoke on immigration and the VA.

5:29 p.m. Senator Moran spoke in favor of the Tester amendment and the VA Mission Act.

5:28 p.m. The Tester amendment was agreed to 96-0.

Senators not voting: Corker, Duckworth, McCain and Shaheen.

5:05 p.m. Roll call vote began on the Tester amendment, #2971.

5:06 p.m. The Young amendment was agreed to 96-0.

Senators not voting: Corker, Duckworth, McCain and Shaheen.

4:34 p.m. Roll call vote began on the Young amendment, #2926.

4:31 p.m. Senator Tester spoke in support for his amendment, #2971.

4:28 p.m Senator Young spoke in support for his amendment, #2926.

4:13 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about the 74th anniversary of the GI bill and on immigration.

3:59 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about immigration.

3:50 p.m. Senator Barasso spoke about the recent summit with North Korea.

3:19 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about immigration.

3:12 p.m. Senator Boozman achieved UC that the Senate conduct two roll call votes at 4:30 p.m. on the Young amendment #2926, requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the Veterans Crisis Line; and the Tester amendment #2971, which would prevent the denial of access to records and documents by various inspectors general.

2:21 p.m. Senators Grassley, Blunt and Boozman spoke on tax cuts.

2:08 p.m. Senator Gillibrand spoke about immigration.

2:00 p.m. The motion to discharge was not agreed to 48-50, with Senators Burr and Collins joining all Democrats and Independents present voting against and Senators McCain and Shaheen not voting.

12:27 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Lee motion to discharge H.R.3, Recessions Package.

12:13 p.m. Senator Casey spoke on immigration.

12:07 p.m. Senator Corker spoke about Section 232 of the Trade Act and trade exclusions.

12:00 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke about the economy and tax reform.

11:33 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke on children’s health insurance and the economy.

11:24 a.m. Senator Lee spoke on immigration and called up Motion to Discharge H.R. 3, To rescind certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded in special messages transmitted to the Congress by the President on May 8, 2018.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. the Senate will have up to 2 votes related to H.R.3, Rescissions Package 1) Motion to discharge 2) Motion to Proceed (if motion to discharge is agreed to

11:16 a.m. Senator Nelson spoke on immigration.

11:15 a.m. The Baldwin amendment, #2985, was agreed to 95-2.

Senators voting against: 2 Republicans: Flake and Paul.

Not voting: Duckworth, McCain, and Shaheen.

10:48 a.m. Roll call vote began on the Baldwin amendment.

10:47 a.m. Senator Portman spoke in favor of the Baldwin amdt.

10:46 a.m. The Crapo amdt #2943 was agreed to 87-9.

Senators voting against: 7 Democrats: Feinstein, Gillibrand, Harris, Markey, Merkley, Warren and Wyden; 1 Republican: Flake; 1 Independent: Sanders.

Not voting: Duckworth, McCain and Shaheen.

10:10 a.m. Roll call vote began on the Crapo amendment #2943.

10:03 a.m. Democratic Leader spoke on immigration.

9:56 a.m. Senators Crapo, Baldwin and Whitehouse spoke on their pending amendments.

9:49 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke on the pending appropriations bill and the tax cuts bill passed last year.

9:30 a.m. The Senate convened and resumed consideration of  H.R.5895, Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and VA Appropriations.

At 10:00 a.m., the Senate will have 2 votes in relation to the Crapo amendment #2943 as modified and Baldwin amendment #2985.