Blog

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

8:07 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, December 19, to consider the measures to continue government spending through fiscal year 2020:  H.R.1865: LaborH, Ag, Energy and Water, Interior, Leg Branch, MilconVA, ForeignOps, THUD Appropriations and H.R.1158: Defense, CJS, FSGG, DHS Appropriations.

At 11:00 a.m., there will be a cloture vote on motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.1865 (LaborH, Ag, Energy and Water, Interior, Leg Branch, MilconVA, ForeignOps, THUD Appropriations).

Upon disposition of the house message re: H.R. 1865, cloture will ripen on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1158 (Defense, CJS, FSGG, DHS Appropriations).

At a time TBD, the Senate will also vote on confirmation of pending nominations. Thursday’s votes will be taken at 10-minute intervals.

*Cloture has also been filed on Executive Calendar #550, Stephen E. Biegun, of Michigan, to be Deputy Secretary of State.

During wrap-up:

  • Confirmed: Exec. Cal. #551, Maj. Gen. Douglas M. Gabram to be Lieutenant General, as well as the all the Nominations Placed on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force and Army.
  • S. 153, to promote veteran involvement in STEM education, computer science, and scientific research, passed by unanimous consent.
  • H. R. 3196, Vera C. Rubin Observatory Designation Act, passed by unanimous consent.
  • S. 3105, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 456 North Meridian Street in Indianapolis, Indiana, as the “Richard G. Lugar Post Office”, passed by unanimous consent.
  • S. Con. Res. 31, recognizing the importance and significance of the 2020 Census and encouraging individuals, families, and households across the United States to participate in the 2020 Census to ensure a complete and accurate count, adopted by unanimous consent.
  • S. Res. 450, recognizing the 71st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the celebration of “Human Rights Day”, adopted by unanimous consent.
  • Began Rule 14 process to place on the calendar, en bloc by unanimous consent:
    • H.R. 397, Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019
    • H.R. 1759, BRIDGE for Workers Act
    • H.R. 4018, to provide that the amount of time that an elderly offender must serve before being eligible for placement in home detention is to be reduced by the amount of good time credits earned by the prisoner, and for other purposes.

****

7:31 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about impeachment and appropriations.

7:19 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke about health care.

7:21 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the nomination of Stephanie Davis to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan, 90 to 1. Senator Hirono voted No.

6:52 p.m. Roll call vote began on the nomination of Stephanie Davis to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.

6:51 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Brown nomination, 91-2.

Senators voting against: Hirono and Sullivan.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

6:34 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Gary Brown to be a Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

6:33 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell and Democrat Leader Schumer spoke about enforcing 10 minute votes tomorrow.

6:32 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Riggs nomination, 92-1.

Senators voting against: Hirono

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

6:11 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Kea Riggs to be a Judge for the District of New Mexico.

6:11 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Vyskocil nomination, 89-4. 

Senators voting against:5 Democrats: Gillibrand, Heinrich, Hirono and Markey.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

5:52 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Mary Vyskocil to be a Judge for the Southern District of New York.

5:52 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Jones nomination, 88-5.

Senators voting against: 5 Democrats: Gillibrand, Hirono, Markey, Schatz and Schumer.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

5:31 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Bernard Jones to be District Judge for Western Oklahoma.

5:30 p.m. Senator Thune achieved consent to vitiate cloture on the following nominations:

  • Robert Colville to be a Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania
  • Lewis Liman to be a Judge for the Southern District of New York

5:30 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Gallagher nomination, 82-10.

Senators voting against: 10 Democrats: Bennet, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Hirono, Markey, Merkley, Murray, Schatz, Schumer and Wyden.

Senators not voting: 5 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar, Stabenow and Warren; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

5:12 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of John Gallagher to be a Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

5:12 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Dishman nomination, 76-17.

Senators voting NO: Baldwin, Blumenthal, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Heinrich, Hirono, Markey, Menendez, Merkley, Murray, Schatz, Schumer, Smith, Stabenow, Udall, Van Hollen, and Wyden.

Senators NOT voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar ane Warren;  2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

4:55 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Jodi Dishman to be a District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma.

4:54 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Traynor nomination on a party line tally of 51-42.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

4:39 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Daniel Traynor to be a District Judge for the District of North Dakota.

4:38 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Marston nomination, 85-7.

Senators voting against: 7 Democrats: Gillibrand, Hirono, Markey, Merkley, Schatz, Schumer and Wyden.

Senators not voting: 5 Democrats: Booker, Duckworth, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Paul; 1 Independent: Sanders.

4:00 p.m. The Senate began voting on the cloture motion on the nomination of Karen Spencer Marston to be U.S District Judge for Eastern PA.

3:52 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke in support of the nomination of Stephanie Dawkins Davis.

3:41 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about retirement savings.

3:31 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration and the green card backlog.

3:26 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the appropriations process, the tax code, and the deficit.

3:05 p.m. Senator Warner spoke about veterans exposed to Agent Orange.

2:41 p.m. Senators Rubio and Scott spoke about the terrorist attack in Pensacola. S. Res. 457 (Condemning the terrorist attack) was agreed to by unanimous consent.

2:40 p.m Senator Thune announced that the Senate will vote on the remaining cloture motions (up to 11) at 4:00.

2:37 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Singhal nomination, 76-18.

Senators voting in favor: 52 Republicans, 23 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 18 Democrats: Baldwin, Bennet, Brown, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Heinrich, Hirono, Markey, Merkley, Murray, Schatz, Schumer, Smith, Stabenow, Udall, Van Hollen, Whitehouse and Wyden.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 1 Republican:Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

1:49 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Anuraag Singhal to be a Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

1:48 p.m. The McFarland nomination was confirmed 56-38.

Senators voting in favor: 52 Republicans; 4 Democrats: Brown, Jones, Manchin and Sinema.

Senators voting against: 37 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 1 Republican:Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

1:11 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Matthew McFarland to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio.

12:41 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about FIRST STEP Act

12:19 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke about federal civil service.

12:01 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke on the pensions of coal miners.

11:36 a.m. Senator Cramer spoke supporting the Traynor nomination.

11:27 a.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about the 5G Spectrum Act.

11:21 a.m. Senator Hirono spoke about the shooting at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

11:11 a.m. Senator Cruz spoke about hostages Austin Tice and the Citgo Six.

11:10 a.m. The Senate invoked cloture on Matthew McFarland to be a District Judge for southern Ohio, 55-38.

Democrats in favor: Senators Brown, Jones, Manchin and Sinema.

Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans:Burr and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.

10:39 a.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Matthew McFarland to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio.

10:27 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on impeachment and the appropriations bills the Senate will vote on tomorrow.

10:23 a.m. Senator Hassan achieved UC to change her vote from yes to no on vote #380.

10:08 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the remaining agenda in the Senate this year and his accomplishments and priorities for South Dakota.

10:01 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke on impeachment and the appropriations bills the Senate will vote on Thursday.

9:38 a.m.  Senator Durbin spoke on the raising of the smoking age to 21 and the increase in vaping by young people.

9:33 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about a bill reducing prescription drug pricing, specifically discussing patients with Parkinson’s disease.

9:30 a.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate  will convene at 9:30 a.m. and resume consideration of Executive Calendar #382, Matthew McFarland to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio.

10:30 a.m. – 1 roll call vote on cloture on the McFarland nomination.  If cloture is invoked, there will be up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate time followed by a vote on confirmation, at which time the cloture petition on the next district judge will ripen and the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the next nomination in the order listed below.

Majority Leader McConnell has also filed cloture on the following nominations:

  • Anuraag Singhal to be a Judge for the Southern District of Florida.
  • Karen Spencer Marston to be a Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
  • Daniel Mack Traynor to be a Judge for the District of North Dakota.
  • Jodi W. Dishman to be a Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma.
  • John M. Gallagher to be a Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
  • Bernard Maurice Jones II to be a Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma.
  • Mary Kay Vyskocil to be a Judge for the Southern District of New York.
  • Kea Whetzal Riggs to be a Judge for the District of New Mexico.
  • Robert J. Colville to be a Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
  • Lewis J. Liman to be a Judge for the Southern District of New York.
  • Gary Richard Brown to be a Judge for the Eastern District of New York.
  • Stephanie Dawkins Davis to be a Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.

 

Cloture has also been filed on:

  • the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.1865: LaborH, Ag, Energy and Water, Interior, Leg Branch, MilconVA, ForeignOps, THUD Appropriations and the extra items.
  • the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.1158: Defense, CJS, FSGG, DHS Appropriations.

Absent an agreement, the cloture petitions on the appropriations bills will ripen upon disposition of the judicial nominations listed above or one hour after the Senate convenes on Thursday, whichever is later.