Tuesday, August 4, 2020

6:48 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

6:46 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell wrapped up for the evening. He filed cloture on the nomination of John Cronan to be a district judge for the district of southern New York. He achieved passage by unanimous consent of S.384 with a Capito amendment: to require the Secretary of Commerce to help facilitate the adoption of composite technology infrastructure in the U.S.

6:15 p.m. Senator Inhofe paid tribute to law enforcement.

5:47 p.m. Senator Durbin paid tribute to John Lewis.

5:30 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke on the Air America program.

5:07 p.m. Senator Portman discussed the Great American Outdoors Act and the next Covid-19 package.

4:53 p.m. Senator Whitehouse for the 269th time discussed climate change.

4:47 p.m. Senator Capito paid tribute to George Carose of Martinsburg, WV.

4:05 p.m. Senators Rosen, Cortez Masto, Schatz, Shaheen and Reed spoke about the needs of local governments and tribal communities during the pandemic.

3:57 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about the Republican response to unemployment during the pandemic.

3:50 p.m. Senator Hassan spoke about Coronavirus funding assistance for state and local governments.

3:38 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about the need for Coronavirus funding assistance for state and local governments.

3:26 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about the need for Coronavirus funding assistance for state and local government.

3:13 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke on the need for Coronavirus funding assistance for local communities.

3:04 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke on the loss of state and local tax revenues.

2:55 p.m. Senator Tester spoke on price transparency and competition in the cattle market.

2:43 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day and on price transparency and competition in the cattle market.

2:30 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about the need for additional Coronavirus funding to assist American families.

2:15 p.m. The Senate reconvened and Senator Alexander spoke about the signing into law of the Great American Outdoors Act.

1:20 p.m. The stands in recess for the weekly caucus lunches.

1:03 p.m. Senator Wyden asked u.c. to call up and pass S. 4143, the American workforce rescue act. Senator Thune objected.

12:50 p.m. Senator McSally spoke on temporarily extending unemployment benefits and asked u.c. to call up and pass S. _ – short term unemployment benefits extension. Senator Wyden objected.

12:45 p.m. Senator Collins spoke on supporting S. 2330, Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act of 2019.

12:34 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke supporting S. 2330, Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act of 2019.

12:23 p.m. Senator Moran spoke about abuse of athletes. Senator Moran asked u.c. to call up and pass S. 2330, Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act of 2019. The measure passed.

12:22 p.m. The Senate confirmed Mark Menezes to be Deputy Secretary of Energy by a tally of 79-16.

Senators voting against (2 Republicans/14 Democrats): Blumenthal, Cortez Masto, Ernst, Gillibrand, Grassley, Harris, Hirono, Klobuchar, Markey, Menendez, Merkley, Rosen, Schatz, Schumer, Warren, and Wyden.

Not voting: Senators Cardin, Leahy, Sanders, Tillis and Warner.

11:42 a.m. The Senate began a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #711 Mark Wesley Menezes to be Deputy Secretary of Energy.

11:33 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about Coronavirus funding.

11:08 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the need for liability provisions in Coronavirus funding and also on the Texas economy.

10:42 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about unemployment benefits.

10:30 a.m. DL Schumer spoke about Coronavirus negotiations.

10:09 a.m. ML McConnell spoke about the Coronavirus and funding negotiations.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about voting by mail in Iowa.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Mark Menezes to be Deputy Secretary of Energy. 

At 11:30 a.m. the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Menezes nomination. 

The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.