5:03 p.m. Senator Carper spoke supporting the Nielsen nomination and about the deficit.

4:52 p.m. ML McConnell asked consent to consider the nomination of:

• Executive Calendar #455 Emily Webster Murphy to be Administrator of the GSA, agreed to by voice.
• Executive Calendar #501 Glenn Smith to be a member of the Farm Credit Administration Board, agreed to by voice.

ML McConnell asked consent that at a time to be determined the Senate consider Calendar #321, Joseph Balash to be an Assistant Secretary of Interior, and that there be one hour of debate on the nomination and the Senate will vote on confirmation upon use or yielding back of time.

S. 2192, A bill to increase resources for immigration laws and for other purposes was read for the first time. ML McConnell asked for the second reading and under rule 14 McConnell objected to his request.

4:37 p.m. The Senate confirmed Kirstjen Nielsen to be Secretary of Homeland Security by a vote of 62-37. 10 Democrats and 1 Independent voted yes (Senators Carper, Coons, Donnelly, Heitkamp, King (I), Manchin, McCaskill, Nelson, Reed, Tester, and Warner).

3:59 p.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of Kirstjen Nielsen to be Secretary of Homeland Security.

3:40 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke about the SECURE Act.

3:35 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about tax reform and appropriations funding.

3:25 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on the SECURE Act.

3:16 p.m. Senator Tillis spoke on the SECURE Act.

3:04 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the SECURE Act.

2:35 p.m. The Senate returned to session.

12:39 p.m. The Senate has recessed subject to the call of the Chair for the weekly caucus lunches and the official Senate photo.

There will be a vote on confirmation of the Nielsen nomination at 4:00 p.m.

11:58 a.m. Senator Sanders spoke about cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

11:50 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the tax overhaul.

11:46 a.m. Senator Flake spoke about the uncertain future of DACA recepients.

11:05 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the tax overhaul.

10:54 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke against the tax overhaul.

10:20 a.m. Senator Durbin resumed his remarks.

10:17 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke for Kirstjen Nielsen’s nomination to be secretary of Homeland Security. He spoke for the short-term federal spending bill. He spoke about the GOP tax package.

10:03 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration. He spoke against President Trump’s action on wilderness protection. He yielded to Senator McConnell.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume consideration of the nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen to be secretary of Homeland Security.

At 12:30 p.m., the Senate will adjourn, subject to the call of the chair, for weekly policy luncheons and the official Senate photograph.

The annual photo will be taken at 2:15 p.m.