Tuesday, July 16, 2019

6:39 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday July 17th. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Treaties Calendar #2, Treaty Doc. No. 112-1, Protocol Amending Tax Convention with Swiss Confederation.

6:37 p.m. Senator Thune began wrap up and passed S. 375, Payment Integrity Information Act, by u.c.; S. Res. 198, A resolution condemning Brunei’s dramatic human rights backsliding, the resolution as amended was agreed to by u.c.; began the Rule 14 process to place H.R. 1327, Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, on the Legislative Calendar.

6:34 p.m. By a tally of 94-2 the Senate Ratified the Treaties Calendar #1, the Protocol Amending the Tax Convention with Spain. Senators Lee and Paul voted no.

6:00 p.m. By a vote of 4-92 the Senate did not adopt the Paul amendment #921 in relation to the tax treaty with Spain.

5:41 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of Paul amendment #921 in relation to Treaties Cal. #1, the Protocol Amending the Tax Convention with Spain.

5:39 p.m. By a vote of 4-92 the Senate did not agree to the Paul amendment #924 to the tax treaty with Spain. Senators Cruz, Lee, Paul and Sullivan voted yes.

5:00 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on the Paul amendment to provide a reservation to the Protocol (#924).

4:50 p.m. Senator Paul spoke on his amendment 924 to the Treaty Doc 113-4, tax convention with Spain.

4:10 p.m. At 5:00 p.m., there will be three votes.  1- Paul #924,  Paul #921 and final passage of the Resolution of Ratification.

4:00 p.m Cloture was invoked on the protocol amending the tax convention with Spain, 94-1.  Senator Paul voted against and Senators Bennet, Booker, Gillibrand, Harris and Sanders did not vote.

3:38 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the protocol amending the tax convention with Spain.

3:37 p.m. The Phipps nomination was confirmed 56-40, with Democrats Jones, Manchin and Sinema joining all Republicans in favor. Senators Bennet, Booker, Gillibrand and Harris did not vote.

3:10 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Peter Phipps to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the 3rd Circuit.

3:00 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about the USMCA and other international trade agreements.

2:49 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the subsequent investigation and report.

2:05 p.m. Senator Hoeven, Braun, Grassley, Boozman, Portman, Ernst, Roberts, and Gardner spoke about the USMCA.

12:40 p.m. The Senate recessed to accommodate the weekly caucus lunches.

12:27 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the EB-5 Green Card program.

12:14 p.m. Senator Jones spoke about the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

11:55 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the southern border.

11:38 a.m. Senator Stabenow spoke about medicare.

11:32 a.m. Senator Corker spoke about healthcare.

11:17 a.m. Senator Menendez spoke about the pending treaties.

10:13 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the tax treaties and about the cost of prescription drugs. He spoke about immigration. He spoke about the president’s criticism of four Democratic congresswomen.

10:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the economy. He spoke about the tax treaties pending on the floor.

10:03 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the first moon landing.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume post-cloture debate on the nomination of Peter Phipps to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the 3rd Circuit.

The Senate will adjourn from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for weekly caucus lunches.

There will be 2 votes at 3 p.m.:

  1. Confirmation of the nomination of Peter Phipps to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the 3rd Circuit.
  2. Cloture on Treaty Doc. 103-4, the Tax Convention with Spain.