Tuesday, December 15, 2020

6:56 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

6:49 p.m. Senator Sasse wrapped up for the evening. Among the items passed in wrap-up: Confirmed: Julie Fisher to be Ambassador to Belarus and Jonathan Pratt to be Ambassador to Djibouti by voice vote. S Res 801 authorizing Senator Alexander to perform a concert in the Hart atrium; and S. 2054, giving the Congressional Gold Medal to the 4 Americans killed in Benghazi.

6:28 p.m. Senator Sasse spoke on a report from the Victims of Communism foundation on Chinese cotton and human rights and entered it into the record.

6:04 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Crytzer nomination by a party line tally of 48-47. Senators Fischer, Harris, Loeffler, Perdue and Rubio were absent.

5:38 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on cloture on the nomination of Katherine Crytzer to be a district judge for eastern Tennessee.

5:37 p.m. The Kirsch nomination was confirmed, 51-44. Senators Kelly, Manchin and Sinema joined Republicans in favor. Senators Fischer, Harris, Loeffler, Perdue and Rubio were absent.

4:57 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of
Thomas L. Kirsch II to be a judge on the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

4:28 p.m. Senator Casey spoke on the Coronavirus.

4:16 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

4:02 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about sentencing disparities.

3:38 p.m. Senators Sullivan, Menendez and Whitehouse spoke supporting the Save Our Seas Act.

3:04 p.m. Senator Capito paid tribute to Henry “Hoppy” Shores.

2:34 p.m. Senators Boozman and Cotton spoke honoring fallen police officer Travis Wallace.

2:15 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about departing Senators.

2:15 p.m. The Senate reconvened. Senator Alexander asked u.c.
that the Senate vote on confirmation of Thomas Kirsch to be US Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit at 5:00 p.m. and upon disposition of the Kirsch nomination the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Katherine Crytzer to be US District Judge for the District of South Carolina.

12:29 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.

12:04 p.m. Senator Klobuchar paid tribute to departing Senators.

11:59 a.m. Senator Tillis paid Tribute to Officer Tyler Herndon.

11:31 a.m. Senator Wyden spoke on immigration.

11:16 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about Attorney General Barr, on the House hold up of the Jenna Quinn Law and paid tribute to Senator Gardner.

10:54 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the Coronavirus vaccines and funding.

10:50 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on the election results and on the Coronavirus.

10:36 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the the election results.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Trump administration. He congratulated President-elect Biden.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about members of the armed services.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume post-cloture consideration of the nomination of Thomas L. Kirsch II to be a judge on the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

  • The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15p.m. for the weekly caucus luncheons.
  • Roll call votes are possible during Tuesday’s session of the Senate. A Whip Alert will be sent if and when any votes are scheduled.