Wednesday, January 8, 2020

6:26 p.m., the Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday and will resume consideration of the nomination Paul J. Ray, of Tennessee, to be administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

6:24  p.m. By a vote of 91 to 7, the Senate confirmed  the nomination of Michael DeSombre to be Ambassador of the U.S. to Thailand. NAYs: Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, Klobuchar, Markey, Sanders and Warren. NOT VOTING: Alexander and Perdue.

5:55 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Michael DeSombre to be Ambassador of the U.S. to Thailand.

5:54 p.m. By a party line vote of 51 to 47  the Senate confirmed the Roumel nomination.  Republicans Alexander and Perdue did not vote.

5:36 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of Eleni Roumel to be a Judge for the US Court of Federal Claims.

5:35 p.m. The Solomson nomination was confirmed, 89-8.

Senators voting in favor: 51 Republicans, 37 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 8 Democrats: Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, Klobuchar, Markey, Schumer and Wyden; 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Alexander and Perdue; 1 Democrat: Warren.

5:00 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of Matthew Solomson to be a Judge for the US Court of Federal Claims.

4:19 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke about antisemitism and attacks and later about Iran.

4:13 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about Suleimani.

4:00 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about Suleimani.

3:46 p.m. Senator Udall spoke about Iran and war.

3:45 p.m. The Senate reconvened and resumed consideration of the Solomson nomination.

2:31 p.m. The Senate has recessed until 3:45 p.m. When the Senate returns, it will resume consideration of the Solomson nomination.

2:23 p.m. The following legislation was passed by unanimous consent.

  • S. Res. 343 – A resolution congratulating the people of the Czech Republic and the people of the Slovak Republic on the 30th Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, the 26th anniversary of the formation of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, and the 101st anniversary of the declaration of independence of Czechoslovakia.
  • S. Res. 385 – A resolution celebrating the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the reunification of both Germany and Europe, and the spread of democracy around the world.
  • S. Res. 447 – A resolution expressing serious concern about widespread irregularities in Bolivia’s October 20, 2019, general elections and supporting the convening of new elections in Bolivia at the earliest possible date.
  • S. Res. 142 – A resolution condemning the Government of the Philippines for its continued detention of Senator Leila De Lima, calling for her immediate release, and for other purpose, adopted by voice vote. 
  • S. Res. 152 – A resolution expressing the importance of the United States alliance with the Republic of Korea and the contributions of Korean Americans in the United States.
  • S. Res. 395 – A resolution recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Iran Hostage Crisis, and for other purposes, adopted by unanimous consent.
  • S. 1228 – Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act.
  • S. 1611 – Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Act.
  • H.R. 583 – Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act.

1:55 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about legislation supporting success for rural students and communities.

1:26 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on judges.

12:36 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about health insurance,  journalists in the Philippines, the USMCA trade agreement, and the tobacco and vaping industries.

12:18 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about Iran.

12:17 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Michael George DeSombre to be Ambassador of the U.S. to the Kingdom of Thailand by a tally of 64-31.

Senators voting in favor:51 Republicans, 13 Democrats: Baldwin, Bennet, Cardin, Hassan, Leahy, Manchin, Menendez, Peters, Reed, Rosen, Shaheen, Udall and Whitehouse.

Senators voting against: 30 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Alexander and Perdue, 2 Democrats: Booker and Warren; 1 Independent: Sanders.

11:57 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #525 Michael George DeSombre to be Ambassador of the U.S. to the Kingdom of Thailand.

11:56 a.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Eleni Maria Roumel to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years by a party line tally of 51-44.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Alexander and Perdue, 2 Democrats: Booker and Warren; 1 Independent: Sanders.

11:34 a.m. The Senate began a roll call on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #462 Eleni Maria Roumel to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years.

11:33 a.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Matthey Solomson to be a Judge for the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for a term of 15 years by a tally of 88-7.

Senators voting no: 7 Democrats: Gillibrand, Harris, Hirono, Klobuchar, Markey, Schumer, and Wyden.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Alexander and Perdue, 2 Democrats: Booker and Warren; 1 Independent: Sanders.

11:00 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #329 Matthew H. Solomson to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years.

 10:54 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about Iran and impeachment.

10:36 a.m. Senator Duckworth spoke against limiting debate on the nomination of Michael DeSombre to be ambassador to Thailand. She spoke about Iran.

10:32 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about Iran.

10:23 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about Iran. He spoke about impeachment.

10:15 a.m. The Senate resumed consideration of the nomination of Matthew Solomson to be a judge on the U.S. Court f Federal Claims.

10:05 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about Iran. He spoke about impeachment.

10:03 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about Senate legislative procedure.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Matthew Solomson to be a Judge for the US Court of Federal Claims.

At 11:00 a.m., there will be three roll call votes:

o Cloture on the nomination of Matthew Solomson to be a Judge for the US Court of Federal Claims.
o Cloture on the nomination of Eleni Roumel to be a Judge for the US Court of Federal Claims.
o Cloture on the nomination of Michael DeSombre to be Ambassador to Thailand.

At 5:00 p.m., there will be three roll call votes:

o Confirmation of Matthew Solomson to be a Judge for the US Court of Federal Claims.
o Confirmation of Eleni Roumel to be a Judge for the US Court of Federal Claims.
o Confirmation of Michael DeSombre to be Ambassador to Thailand.