Wednesday, March 4, 2020

7:01 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

6:56 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell wrapped up for the evening.

Passed in wrap-up: S. 893 regarding security of future generation mobile phones; S Res 529 designating Feb 29th 2020 as Rare Disease Day; S Res 530 designating March 4th 2020 as National Assistive Technology Awareness Day.

5:53 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on Senator Schumer’s comments about abortion at the Supreme Court.

5:38 p.m. Senator Carper spoke on Kennedy’s amendment.

5:24 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about his bill on hydrofluorocarbons, innovation, and debate in the Senate.

5:03 p.m. Senator Lee asked unanimous consent to take up and pass S. 3259 regarding abortion. Senator Shaheen objected.

4:55 p.m. Senator Braun spoke on abortion and asked unanimous consent that the Senate pass S. 2590. Senator Murray objected.

4:30 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke on 5G.

3:23 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on the backgrounds check bill.

3:09 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about the background checks bill. Senator Murphy asked UC that the Senate proceed to H.R. 8 (background checks bill) and be passed by voice vote. Senator Enzi objected.

2:43 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on legislation funding improvements of road and bridges.

2:23 p.m. Senators Shelby and Leahy spoke on the coronavirus supplemental appropriations.

1:43 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on gun control.

12:50 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke about his resolution honoring Dr. Li Wenliang.

11:55 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about Net Neutrality.

11:37 a.m. Senator Murkowski spoke supporting S. 2657 and the amendment process.

11:27 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell called up amendment #1419 (for Ernst) to amendment #1407.

11:27 a.m. Senator Murkowski called up the substitute amendment, #1407.

11:26 a.m. The Senate adopted the motion to proceed to S. 2657, the vehicle for the energy package, 90-4.

Voting no: 3 Republicans: Lee, Paul and Scott of Florida; 1 Democrat: Schatz.

Not voting: 3 Democrats: Jones, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Blackburn and Cornyn; 1 Independent: Sanders. 

Further votes are possible today. 

10:32 a.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to proceed to S. 2657.

10:24 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on coronavirus funding.

10:14 a.m. Senator Manchin spoke on the energy package.

10:05 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke on coronavirus funding and the energy package.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke on helping Iowa veterans.

***

  • The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2657; expected vehicle for the Murkowski-Manchin substitute amendment carrying the energy package.
  • At 10:30 a.m. the Senate will vote on the motion to proceed.

Additional roll call votes are possible during today’s session.