Tuesday, May 14, 2019

6:20 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday May 15, 2019

6:05 p.m. Senator Brown spoke on woman’s health and choice.

5:45 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on climate change.

5:30 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke climate change.

5:14 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke against the nomination of Wendy Vitter to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

5:13 p.m. The following were passed during wrap up:

H.R. 986 and H.R. 248 – State innovation regarding affordable care act

S.Res 209 – Designating May 12 – May 18 2019 as National Police Week

S. Res 210 – Designating May 15th as Senior Fraud Awareness

S. 1231 – to reauthorize bulletproof vest reauthorization program

5:05 p.m. ML McConnell began wrap up.

4:50 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about the Santa Fe school shooting.

4:16 p.m. Senator Jones spoke about trade policy.

3:43 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about women’s healthcare.

3:10 p.m. Senator Booker spoke about the 65th Anniversary of Brown vs. the Board of Education.

3:03 p.m. Senator Capito spoke on Police Week.

2:44 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke on national police week, and later on nominations and the economic situation.

2:42 p.m.  The Senate returned from the recess.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned briefly and recessed subject to the call of the chair to accommodate the 116th Congress class photograph.

12:30 p.m. The Senate recessed until 2:15 for the weekly caucus luncheons.

12:07 p.m. Senator Hyde-Smith spoke about the deaths of law enforcement officers.

11:49 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about immigration.

11:42 a.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Kenneth Lee to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit on a party line vote of 50-45. Senators Cassidy, Gillibrand, Hirono, Kennedy, and Rounds did not vote.

11:17 a.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Kenneth Lee to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the 9th Circuit.

11:15 a.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Executive Calendar #25 Michael Truncale to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas by a vote of 49-46. Senator Romney joined all Democrats and Independents present voting against. Senators Cassidy, Gillibrand, Hirono, Kennedy, and Warren did not vote.

10:45 a.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the nomination of Michael Truncale to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas.

10:39 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the economy.

10:29 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke about U.S. military plans for Iran and about disaster relief. He spoke about health care.

10:03 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke in tribute to fallen police officers.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

At 10:45 a.m. the Senate is expected to vote on:

1. ) Confirmation of the nomination of Michael J. Truncale to be a U.S. District Court judge for the Eastern District of Texas;

2.) Cloture on the nomination of Kenneth Lee, of California, to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.

From 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m., the Senate will recess for weekly policy lunches.

At 2:15 p.m. the official Senate photograph for the 116th Congress will be taken in the chamber.

NOTE: Cloture petitions have ripened for the following nominations:

  • Brian Bulatao to be an Under Secretary of State (Management);
  • Wendy Vitter to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana;
  • Kenneth Lee to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.

Cloture was filed Monday on the nomination of Jeffrey A. Rosen of Virginia to be deputy attorney general.