5:20 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene on Monday, December 18th at 3:00 p.m. The next scheduled votes are on the confirmation of the nominations of J. Paul Compton Jr, AL, to be general counsel of HUD and Owen West, CT, to be Asst Secy of Defense. During Wrap Up, the Senate also confirmed various executive calendar nominations:
430 – Jennifer G. Newstead, NY, to be legal advisor, Dep of State
405 –Matthew Leopold, FL, Asst Admin, EPA
406 – David Ross, WI, Asst Admin, EPA
499 – Scott Brady, PA, to be US States Atty, Western District of PA
500 – Andrew Lelling, MA, to be US Atty, District of MA
548-551 – Coast Guard appointments
4:30 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on climate change.
4:05 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the Alaskan of the week.
3:33 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke about the tax bill.
2:21 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Ho nomination by a vote of 53 to 43. Senator Lee spoke on net neutrality.
1:45 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the nomination of James Ho to be a U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the 5th Circuit.
1:19 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about the 5th anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy.
1:06 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about the tax bill.
12:58 p.m. Senator Casey spoke about CHIP and DACA.
12:51 p.m. Senator Capito spoke about the tax bill.
12:32 p.m. Senator Flake spoke about NAFTA.
12:32 p.m. Senator Flake announced the vote on the Ho nomination will occur at 1:45 p.m.
11:57 a.m. Senator Reed spoke on the tax bill.
11:43 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on a resolution regarding North Korea and circuit court nominations.
11:06 a.m. Senators Leahy and Warren spoke on circuit court nominations.
10:45 a.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke against repeal of “Net neutrality” rules. He spoke about the Sandy Hook massacre and gun control.
10:30 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke about pending legislation.
10:17 a.m. Senator Moran spoke about the children’s health program.
10:04 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about judicial nominations. He spoke about national defense needs.
*****
The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume post-cloture consideration of the nomination of James C. Ho to be a U. S. Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
By consent, these nominations will be considered at a time to be determined by leadership:
1. Owen West to be Assistant Secretary of Defense, with a 30 minute time agreement;
2. J. Paul Compton Jr. to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with a 20 minute time agreement.