Wednesday, March 11, 2020

6:06 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #587, James P. Danly, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. At 11:45 a.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Danly nomination.

If cloture is invoked, at 1:45 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Danly nomination.

During wrap up:

Began Rule 14 process on H.R. 6172, An act to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to prohibit the production of certain business records and for other purposes (read for the first time)

Adopted S.Res.540, recognizing the contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni to the lives of the people of the United States.

Adopted S.Res.541, recognizing and celebrating the 200th anniversary of the entry of Maine into the Union as the 23rd State.

Passed Calendar #407, S.227, to direct the Attorney General to review, revise, and develop law enforcement and justice protocols appropriate to address missing and murdered Indians, and for other purposes.

Passed Calendar #417, S.982, to increase intergovernmental coordination to identify and combat violent crime within Indian lands and of Indians.

Concurred in the House amendment to S.1678, to express United States support for Taiwan’s diplomatic alliances around the world.

Agreed to H.Con.Res.91, authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the Chinese-American veterans of World War II.

5:02 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about the recent storm and tornado in Tennessee and on the SAMC act.

3:55 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about coronavirus.

3:45 p.m. Senator Booker spoke about coronavirus.

3:16 p.m. Senator Whitehouse gave his weekly speech about climate change.

2:40 p.m. Senator Cramer spoke about government transparency.

2:14 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about government transparency.

2:08 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about government transparency.

2:00 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke about wasteful spending.

1:18 p.m. Senators Grassley, Collins, Cassidy and Daines engaged in a colloquy on prescription drugs.

12:50 p.m. Senators Cornyn and Brown spoke on the coronavirus.

12:37 p.m. S.J res 56 was agreed to 53-42.

Senators voting in favor: 42 Democrats, 10 Republicans: Capito, Collins, Ernst, Gardner, Hawley, McSally, Murkowski, Portman, Sullivan and Young; 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 42 Republicans.

Senators not voting: 3 Democrats: Klobuchar, Murphy and Warren;1 Republican: Cruz; 1 Independent: Sanders.

12:00 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.J.Res.56/H.J.Res.76, Borrower Defense CRA.

11:41 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the coronavirus and on the Borrower Defense CRA.

11:21 a.m. Senator Gardner spoke about Felix Sparks and the Thunderbirds.

11:10 a.m. Senator Murray spoke about the coronavirus and paid sick leave. Senator Murray asked u.c to call up and pass S 3415, a bill to allow Americans to earn paid sick time so that they can address their own health needs and the health needs of their families. Senator Alexander objected.

11:00 a.m. Senator Brown spoke about paid sick leave.

10:50 a.m. Democratic leader Schumer spoke about the virus.

10:40 a.. Senator Thune spoke about the virus an the energy bill.

10:21 a.m. a.m. Republican leader McConnell spoke about the corona virus.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke.


The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume consideration of S.J.Res.56, to disapprove of a proposed Education Department rule on Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability.


The vote on passage of the resolution will be at noon.


Unless there is an agreement on a confirmation vote, there will be a cloture vote Thursday for the nomination of James P. Danly, of Tennessee, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. If cloture is invoked, a confirmation vote will occur up to two hours after the cloture vote.