Wednesday, March 21, 2018

The Senate has adjourned until 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 22nd.

****

4:45 p.m Senator Durbin paid tribute to Senator Cochran and to Congresswomen Louise Slaughter. And spoke about DACA.

4:23 p.m. Senator Sasse spoke about Putin’s reelection and President Trump’s leaked confidential material.

4:13 p.m.  H.R. 1865, SESTA,  was agreed to by a vote of 97 to 2. Senators Paul and Wyden voted NO.

3:31 p.m. The Senate is now voting on passage of H.R. 1865.

3:30 p.m. Senators Portman, Blumenthal and Wyden spoke about sex trafficking.

3:27 p.m. The motion to waive the budget act with respect to the Wyden amendment #2213 was not agreed to by a vote of  21 to 78 and the amendment fell. Senator Wyden withdrew amendment #2212.

Senators in favor: 20 Democrats: Booker, Cantwell, Casey, Coons, Donnelly, Gillibrand, Heinrich, Hirono, Jones, Leahy, Markey, McCaskill, Merkley, Murray, Peters, Stabenow, Tester, Udall, Van Hollen and Wyden; 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators opposed: 50 Republicans, 27 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

2:54 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to waive the budget act with respect to they Wyden amendment #2213.

2:52 p.m. Senators Portman and Wyden have their final speeches before the vote.

2:51 p.m. Senator Wyden made a motion to waive the budget act with respect to amendment #2213.

2:50 p.m. ML McConnell raised a budget point of order against the Wyden amendment #2213.

1:51 p.m. Senator Wyden offered his amendments to H.R. 1865.

o Wyden amendment to provide additional funding to the Department of Justice to combat the online facilitation of sex trafficking (#2213)

o Wyden amendment to clarify that efforts of a provider or user of an interactive computer service to identify, restrict access to, or remove objectionable material shall not be considered in determining the criminal or civil liability of the provider or user for other material (#2212)

1:32 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about sex trafficking.

1:06 p.m Senator Jones gave his maiden speech.

12:56 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke about sex trafficking.

12:50 p.m. Senator Murkowskin spoke about sex trafficking.

12:45 p.m. At approximately 2:45 p.m., the Senate will have three roll call votes:

  • Wyden amendment #2213 (60 vote threshold)
  • Wyden amendment #2212 (60 vote threshold)
  • Passage of H.R.1865, SESTA, as amended, if amended

Majority Leader McConnell also spoke about sex trafficking and tax reform.

12:35 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about sex trafficking.

11:36 a.m. Senator Portman began a colloquy on sex trafficking, with Senators Thune, Blumentha, McCaskill and Heitkamp.

11:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell said he hopes there will be votes today on the sex trafficking bill. Senator will be notified when votes will occur.

The Senate will convene at 11:00 a.m.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R.1865, the sex trafficking prevention act.

At a time to be determined in the afternoon, the Senate will proceed to up to three roll call votes on the following in relation to H.R.1865:
1. Wyden amendment #2122
2. Wyden amendment #2213
3. Passage of H.R.1865, SESTA, as amended, if amended