Wednesday, November 8, 2017

7:03 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

6:57 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke against the Wehrum nomination.

6:46 p.m Senator Perdue spoke about on the tax bills.

6:42 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell wrapped up Senate business for the evening.

The following were confirmed/agreed to by unanimous consent:

Melissa Glynn to be Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Enterprise Integration.
Cheryl Mason to be Chair of the Board of Veterans Appeals.
Randy Reeves to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs.

S. Res 324, regarding diabetes awareness.
S. Res 325, regarding National Obesity Care week.
H.R. 3243, the FITARA Enhancement Act of 2017
H.R. 194, the Federal Agency Mail Management Act of 2017.

UC that at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the Senate vote on confirmation of the Wehrum nomination. Following the vote, recess until 1:45 p.m., at which time vote on cloture of the Kan nomination.
UC that when the Senate completes work this evening, (following remarks by Senators Perdue and Merkley) it do so until 9:30 a.m. Thursday. At that time, following any leader remarks, resume consideration of the Wehrum nomination.

6:32 p.m. Senators Duckworth and Franken spoke against the Wehrum nomination.

6:18 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke on North Korea financial sanctions.

6:03 p.m. Senator Kennedy paid tribute to veterans.

5:43 p.m. Senator Carper spoke against the Wehrum nomination.

5:13 p.m. Senators Alexander, King, Rounds and Carper spoke on the Alexander/Murray health care bill.

5:12 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Wehrum nomination on a party line vote of 49-46, with Senators Cruz, Menendez, Paul, Roberts and Tester not voting.

4:51 p.m. Roll call vote started on cloture on the Wehrum nomination.

4:49 p.m. Senator Carper spoke against the Wehrum nomination.

4:47 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Robb nomination by a party line vote of 49 to 46; with Senators Cruz, Menendez, Paul, Roberts and Tester not voting.

4:15 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of Executive Calendar #384, Peter B. Robb, of Vermont, to be General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board for a term of four years.

4:14 p.m. Senator Murray spoke against the Robb nomination.

4:09 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the Wehrum nomination.

4:03 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about the Robb nomination.

3:46 p.m. Senator Gardner spoke about tax reform.

3:31 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke against the Wehrum nomination.

3:15 p.m. Senator Peters spoke against the Robb nomination.

3:08 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke about health care.

2:49 p.m. Senator Franken spoke about health care.

2:39 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about health care and open enrollment.

2:35 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about health care.

2:18 p.m. Senator Tillis spoke about military families.

2:12 p.m. Senator Hoeven spoke about Veteran’s Day.

1:58 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke about Veteran’s Day.

1:47 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about Veteran’s Day.

1:08 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about tax reform.

12:47 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke against the Wehrum nomination.

12:32 p.m. Senator Cantwell spoke about affordable housing.

12:06 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke against the Robb nomination.

12:05 p.m. ML McConnell asked u.c. that at 3:45 p.m. there will be 20 minutes of postcloture debate on the Robb nomination and at approximately 4:15 p.m. the Senate vote on confirmation of the Robb nomination and that there be two minutes of debate prior to the cloture vote on the Wehrum nomination.

11:49 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the shooting in Texas.

11:30 a.m. Senator Murray spoke on the economy and the Robb nomination.

11:18 a.m. Senator Wyden honored veterans.

11:12 a.m. Senator Fischer paid tribute to the Nebraska National Guard; many of whom were in the gallery.

11:02 a.m. Senator Boozman paid tribute to veterans.

10:35 a.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about guns.

10:22 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about taxes.

10:11 a.m. Senator Flakespoke about U.S. operations abroad.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about taxes and nominations

*****

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume post-cloture consideration of the nomination of Peter B. Robb to be General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board.

No votes have been scheduled as yet for Wednesday, but the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Robb nomination when all post-cloture time has been used or given back.

After the Senate disposes of the Robb nomination, the Senate will vote on cloture for the nomination of William L. Wehrum to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Also in line for consideration this week is the nomination of Derek Kan to be Under Secretary of Transportation.