Tuesday, April 26, 2022

6:37 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will next convene on Wednesday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m. Following leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration  of the nomination of Executive Calendar #800 Sherilyn Peace Garnett to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California.

3:30 p.m. – 1 vote:

  • Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #800 Sherilyn Peace Garnett to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California.

During wrap-up:

  • S. 4088 To prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from lessening the stringency of, and to prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from ceasing or lessening implementation of, the COVID–19 border health provisions through the end of the COVID–19 pandemic, and for other purposes (Cruz) : Placed on the calendar under Rule 14.
  • S.4089 Veterans Rapid Restraining Assistance Program Restoration and Recovery Act: Agreed to by voice vote.
  • S. Res. 585 honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of the Honorable Madeleine K. Albright: Agreed to by unanimous consent.
  • S. Res. 595 designating the week of April 18 through April 24, 2022, as “National Osteopathic Medicine Week”: Agreed to by unanimous consent.
  • H. Con. Res. 74 use of the Capitol grounds: Agreed to by unanimous consent.

As a reminder,

Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations:

  • Executive Calendar #800 Sherilyn Garnett to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California
  • Executive Calendar #865 Julia Gordon to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

*Please note, cloture has been withdrawn on Executive Calendar #848 Alvaro M. Bedoya to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of seven years from September 27, 2019 and  Executive Calendar #670 Lisa M. Gomez, of New Jersey, to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor.

At a time to be determined, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the following nominations:

  • Susan Grundmann to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority
  • Cathy Harris to be a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board
  • Cathy Harris to be Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board

***

6:06 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on inflation.

5:54 p.m. Senator Lee paid tribute to former senator Orrin Hatch.

5:33 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on corporations.

5:22 p.m. Senator Merkley paid tribute to staffer B.J. Wesland.

5:07 p.m. Senator Toomey asked unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the Majority in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate proceed to consideration of Executive Calendars #807 (Jerome Powell) and #809 (Philip Jefferson) and have 60 minutes of debate, then vote on each nomination. Senator Brown objected. Senators Brown and Toomey then spoke on the nominations.

5:06 p.m. The Senate did not invoke cloture, 47-51: Executive Calendar #844 Lisa Cook to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Majority Leader Schumer made a motion to reconsider and also withdrew the cloture motion with respect to Executive Calendar #848 Alvaro M. Bedoya to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of seven years from September 27, 2019.

3:43 p.m. The Senate began a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #844 Lisa Cook to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

3:37 p.m. Senator Brown asked unanimous consent the cloture vote with respect to the Cook nomination to occur at time to be determined on April 29th, the Senate consider the Powell and Jefferson nominations. Senator Toomey objected.

3:35 p.m. The Senate confirmed, 52-43: Executive Calendar #808 Lael Brainard to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of four years.

2:16 p.m. The Senate began a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #808 Lael Brainard to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of four years.

12:30 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m. for weekly caucus lunches.

12:15 p.m. Senator Lee spoke on the Federal Trade Commission.

11:57 a.m. Senator Cardin spoke on climate action.

11:54 a.m. Senator Cassidy paid tribute to veteran and civil rights leader Johnny Jones of Louisiana.

11:01 a.m. Senator Thune paid tribute to former senator, Orrin Hatch and spoke on inflation.

10:43 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the FDA and dietary supplements as well as military tactile vehicle accidents.

10:36 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke on the southern border.

10:08 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on the Brainard nomination, Ukraine, and COVID funding.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following any Leader remarks, will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #808 Lael Brainard to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

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

At approximately 2:15 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Brainard nomination. It is possible a second vote could occur in the series, with a cloture vote on Executive Calendar #844 Lisa Cook to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Additional roll call votes are expected.

The Senate may consider S.J.Res.41, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to “Ensuring Access to Equitable, Affordable, Client-Centered, Quality Family Planning Services.”

Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations:

1. Executive Calendar #848 Alvaro Bedoya to be a Federal Trade Commissioner
2. Executive Calendar #800 Sherilyn Garnett to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California
3. Executive Calendar #865 Julia Gordon to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
4. Executive Calendar #670 Lisa Gomez to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor

At a time to be determined, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the following nominations:

1. Susan Grundmann to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority
2. Cathy Harris to be a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board
3. Cathy Harris to be Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board