Wednesday, May 16, 2018

6:47 p.m. The Senate has adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 17th. Following leader remarks, Senator Paul will be recognized to make a motion to proceed to S. Con. Res. 36 and that there be up to 90 minutes of debate and then a vote on the motion.

During wrap-up:

  • Confirmation of United States Coast Guard Vice Admiral Charles W. Ray to be Admiral by unanimous consent.
  • 2850, To amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 to clarify the use of amounts in the WMAT Settlement Fund, 2nd Reading.
  • 2349, Improve Data on Sexual Violence Act, passed by unanimous consent.
  • R. 3249, Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2017, passed by voice vote.
  • R. 2772, SEA Act and the Tillis substitute, passed by unanimous consent
  • R. 3562, To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such title, passed by unanimous consent.
  • R. 4009, Smithsonian National Zoological Park Central Parking Facility Authorization Act, passed by unanimous consent.
  • Con.Res. 112, Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha I, passed by unanimous consent.
  • Passed by unanimous consent en bloc:
    • Res. 512
    • Res. 513
    • Res. 514

****

6:18 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the Haspel nomination.

6:06 p.m. Senator Heitkamp spoke on National Police Week.

5:42 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about National Foster Care Month and the release of information on the Russian investigation by the Judiciary committee.

5:00 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

4:39 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke about National Police Week, the Bureau of Prisons Gun Locker Bill, and budget rescission.

4:26 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about S.J.Res. 52, National Police Week, and Project Safe Neighborhood.

4:25 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Zais nomination to be Deputy Secretary of Education on a party line vote of 50-48. Senators Duckworth and McCain did not vote.

3:55 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Mitchell Zais to be Deputy Secretary of Education.

3:54 p.m. The joint resolution was agreed to 52-47.  There are up to ten hours of debate, however we expect a vote on passage at approximately 3:00 p.m.

Senators voting in favor 47 Democrats, 3 Republicans (Collins, Kennedy and Murkowski), 2 Independents (King and Sanders).

  • Senators voting against: 47 Republicans.
  • Senators not voting: 1 Republican: McCain.

3:21 p.m. Roll call vote began on passage of the joint resolution.

3:13 p.m.  Senator Thune spoke against S.J. Res 52.

2:55 p.m.  Senator Markey spoke supporting S.J.Res. 52.

2:41 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke supporting the Haspel nomination.

2:32 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke in favor of S.J.Res. 52.

2:24 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke in favor of S.J. Res 52.

2:06 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke against S.J. Res. 52.

2:00 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke in favor of S.J. Res 52.

1:15 p.m. Senators Blumenthal, Warren, Murray and Nelson spoke in favor of S.J. Res 52.

12:56 p.m. Senator Thune spoke against S.J. Res 52, asked UC to return it to the calendar and take up net neutrality legislation with amendments; Senator Markey objected.

12:50 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke in favor of S.J. Res 52.

12:49 p.m. The motion to proceed was agreed to 52-47.  There are up to ten hours of debate, however we expect a vote on passage at approximately 3:00 p.m.

Senators voting in favor 47 Democrats, 3 Republicans (Collins, Kennedy and Murkowski), 2 Independents (King and Sanders).

Senators voting against: 47 Republicans.

Senators not voting: 1 Republican: McCain.

12:00 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to proceed to S.J. Res 52-net neutrality.

11:54 a.m. Senator Wicker spoke against the motion to proceed to net neutrality.

11:25 a.m. Senator Wyden and Senator Markey spoke about net neutrality.

11:07 a.m. Senator Cardin spoke about net neutrality.

10:57 a.m. Senator Hassan spoke about net neutrality.

10:44 a.m. Senator Cantwell spoke about net neutrality.

10:36 a.m. Senator Hirono spoke about National Police Week and net neutrality.

10:25 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about National Police Week.

10:00 a.m. Senator Markey spoke about net neutrality.

9:47 a.m. ML McConnell spoke about the Haspell nomination and net neutrality.

9:37 a.m. Senator Tillis spoke about the imprisonment of Pastor Brunson in Turkey.

*****

The Senate will convene at 9:30 am. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Mitchell Zais, of South Carolina, to be Deputy Secretary of Education.

At 12:00 pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.52, the Net Neutrality CRA.

Following disposition of S.J.Res.52, the Net Neutrality CRA, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the Zais nomination.