Wednesday, June 27, 2018

7:09 p.m. ML McConnell wraps up. UC that the Senate adjourn until 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

6:43 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on immigration and the Kennedy retirement.

6:27 p.m. Senator Moran spoke on the farm bill.

5:56 p.m. Senator Udall spoke on immigration.

5:36 p.m. Senators Bennet and Boozman spoke on the farm bill.

5:23 p.m. Senator Smith spoke on Justice Kennedy’s retirement, and women’s health.

5:10 p.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on the Roberts substitute amendment to the Farm Bill, H.R. 2. He also filed cloture on the bill, H.R. 2.

4:52 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about the tax reform bill.

4:43 p.m. Senator Roberts spoke in support of the Thune CRP amendment.

4:38 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about his amendment regarding land management/CRP.

4:28 p.m. Senator Hassan spoke about women’s health.

4:20 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke about women’s health.

4:10 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about Justice Kennedy’s retirement and women’s health.

4:01 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt.

3:50 p.m. Senator Roberts called up the following amendments to the Roberts substitute #3224, the Lee amendment #3074 and Durbin amendment#3103. Senator Rubio objected. Senator Stabenow spoke recognizing Senator Rubio’s concerns.

3:22 p.m. Senator Donnelly spoke about the farm bill.

3:19 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy.

2:33 p.m. ML McConnell spoke about the retirement announcement of Justice Anthony Kennedy and stated the Senate will vote on his replacement this fall.

2:00 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about the farm bill.

1:37 p.m. Senator Tillis makes his weekly plea on behalf of Pastor Brunson.

1:01 p.m. Senators Heitkamp, Gardner and Tester spoke about the farm bill.

12:53 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about food stamps and the farm bill.

12:28 p.m. Senator Booker spoke about the farm bill.

12:17 p.m. Senator Enzi spoke about appropriations.

12:09 p.m. Senators Toomey, Corker, and Brown continued speaking on the issue of tariffs.

11:55 a.m. Senator Coker spoke about the tariff amendment. Senator Corker asked unanimous consent to bring up the amendment. Senator Brown objected.

11:48 a.m. Senator Toomey spoke about his tariff amendment.

11:35 a.m. Senator Capito spoke about the tax reform bill.

11:07 a.m. Senator Lankford spoke about Senate procedure. He spoke about immigration.

10:50 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the immigration decision. He said Democrats today will propose action on immigration. He spoke about policy on trade with China. He spoke about the Supreme Court decisions yesterday on abortion and immigration and its decision today on labor.

10:40 a.m. Senator Cronyn spoke about immigration.

10:30 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about a federal court decision Tuesday on the administration’s immigration policy.

10:18 a.m. Senator Roberts listed 18 amendments — with sponsors of both parties -that are incorporated in the substitute.

10:17 a.m. Senator Stabenow spoke in favor of the farm bill.

10:14 a.m. Senator Roberts brought up the substitute amendment #3224. Senator McConnell brought up amendment #3134 (the Thune amendment on Conservation Reserve Programs).

10:13 a.m. By voice vote, the Senate agreed to proceed to the farm bill.

10:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about D-Day veterans, Independence Day and the farm bill. He expressed hope that the Senate will pass the farm bill this week. He spoke about the tax program.

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The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and after leader remarks will adopt by voice vote the motion to proceed to the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2).

A substitute amendment to the underlying farm bill will be offered. After the substitute, the first amendment offered will be a Thune Amendment on Conservation Reserve Programs.

Roll call votes are expected today.

At a time to be determined, the Senate will take up the nomination of James Blew of California to be an assistant education secretary for education. There will be up to five hours of debate.