Wednesday, March 30, 2022

10:36 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am Thursday, March 31, 2022.

10:30 p.m. Senator Baldwin asked for unanimous consent for Executive Calendar #820, 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827, 829, 830, 821, 834, 835, 8237, 840, 841 and and all nominations on Secretary’s Desk Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force. The Motion was agreed to.

10:21 p.m. Senator Baldwin asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to Consider Executive Calendar #729 Jerry Kang, of California, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2026. Senator Scott of Florida objected.

10:13 p.m. Senator Ossoff asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to consider Executive Calendar Calendar #845 Deborah E. Lipstadt to be Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, with the rank of Ambassador. The motion was agreed to.

10:14 By a tally of 49-48, cloture was invoked on the nomination of Cathy Harris to be Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board.

9:59 p.m. The Senate began a cloture vote on the nomination of Cathy Harris to be Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board.

9:58 p.m. By a party line tally of 50-48, cloture was invoked on the nomination of Cathy Harris to be a member of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Senators Hawley and Shelby did not vote.

9:37 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #717 Cathy Ann Harris to be a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board for the term of seven years expiring March 1, 2028.

9:37 p.m. By a vote of 51-47, The Senate invoked cloture on Susan Tsui Grundmann to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term of five years expiring July 1, 2025. Senator Murkowski joined all Democrats and Independents in favor, Senators Hawley and Shelby did not vote.

9:11 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #718 Susan Tsui Grundmann to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term of five years expiring July 1, 2025.

9:10 p.m. Cloture was not invoked on the Weil nomination, 47-53. Democrats voting against: Kelly, Manchin and Sinema

8:41 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on cloture on the nomination of David Weil to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor.

8:40 p.m. The Contreras nomination was confirmed 54-44. Republicans in favor: Blunt, Burr, Collins, Graham and Murkowski. Senators not voting: Toomey and Van Hollen..

7:51 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the Confirmation of Executive Calendar #764 January Contreras to be Assistant Secretary for Family Support, Department of Health and Human Services

7:33 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke in favor of the Contreras nomination.

6:59 p.m. Senator Portman spoke on immigration.

6:43 p.m. Senator Moran spoke about Steve Scott, former president of Pittsburg State University

6:33 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about COVID-19 relief.

6:23 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about Judge Jacksons nomination.

6:04 p.m. By a vote of 54-45, the Senate invoked cloture on Executive Calendar #764 January Contreras to be Assistant Secretary for Family Support, Department of Health and Human Services.

5:19 p.m. The Senate began a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #764 January Contreras to be Assistant Secretary for Family Support, Department of Health and Human Services.

5:18 p.m. By a vote of 69-30, the Senate confirmed Judith Pryor to be First Vice President of the Export Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2025.

4:30 p.m. The Senate returned from recess and began a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #672 Judith DelZoppo Pryor to be First Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2025.

3:14 p.m. The Senate recessed until 4:30 p.m.

3:13 p.m. Invoked, 69-31: Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #672 Judith DelZoppo Pryor to be First Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2025.

2:24 p.m. The Senate began a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #672 Judith DelZoppo Pryor to be First Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2025.

2:23 p.m. Agreed to, 51-50 with the Vice President voting in the affirmative: Motion to discharge from Commerce Committee PN1541 Alvaro M. Bedoya to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of seven years from September 26, 2019.

11:50 a.m. The Senate began a vote on the motion to discharge the nomination of Alvaro Bedoya to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission from the Commerce Committee

11:46 a.m. Senator Brown spoke supporting the Pryor nomination to the Ex-Im bank.

11:34 a.m. Senator Toomey spoke against the Pryor nomination to the Ex-Im bank.

11:25 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about COVID-19 relief funding and a departing member of his staff.

11:10 a.m. Senator Murray spoke about the American Rescue Plan and the restaurant revitalization fund.

10:58 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about inflation and the supply chain.

10:40 a.m. ML Schumer spoke about nominations and COVID relief.

10:16 a.m. RL McConnell spoke about Israel and the Supreme Court.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following any leader remarks, will resume consideration of the nomination of Judith Pryor to be First Vice President of the Export-Import Bank. 

At 11:45 a.m., the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes:
1. Motion to discharge the nomination of Alvaro Bedoya to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission from the Commerce Committee.
2. Cloture on the Pryor nomination.

At 1:30 p.m. the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes:
1. Confirmation of the Pryor nomination.
2. Cloture on the nomination of January Contreras to be Assistant Secretary for Family Support, Department of Health and Human Services.

Further votes are expected, likely on cloture related to the nominations below:
1. David Weil to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor
2. Susan Grundmann to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority
3. Cathy Harris to be a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board
4. Cathy Harris to be Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board

Cloture has also been filed on the motion to proceed to H.R.4373, provides FY2022 appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs (legislative vehicle for COVID funding). Absent an agreement, that cloture motion will ripen one hour after the Senate convenes on Thursday, March 31st