Blog

Thursday, May 26, 2022

4:32 p.m. The Senate adjourned pursuant to the provisions of S.Res. 660, as a further mark of respect to the late Norman Y. Mineta, former Congressman and Secretary of Commerce and Treasury.

The Senate will convene for pro forma sessions only on the following dates and times:

  • Friday, May 27th at 9:30 a.m.
  • Tuesday, May 31st at 11:00 a.m.
  • Friday, June 3rd at 4:30 p.m.

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, June 3rd, it next convene at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, June 6th and consider the nomination of Alex Wagner to be an Assistant Secretary of the Airforce.

4:23 p.m. Senator Cardin continued wrap up:

  • Passed by unanimous consent S. 629, GAO Database Modernization Act of 2021 w/substitute amendment
  • Passed by unanimous consent S. 1941, MAPS Act of 2021 w/substitute amendment
  • Passed by unanimous consent S. 2322, CTPAT Pilot Program Act of 2021 w/substitute amendment
  • Passed by voice vote H.R. 4591, VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021
  • Passed by en bloc by voice vote: S.Res. 341,A resolution commemorating the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Security Treaty among Australia, New Zealand, and the United States of America; S.Res. 390, A resolution expressing appreciation for the State of Qatar’s efforts to assist the United States during Operation Allies Refuge; S.Res. 499, A resolution celebrating 100 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Baltic States; S.Res. 538, A resolution expressing support for a second United States-Africa Leaders Summit as an important opportunity to strengthen ties between the United States and African partners and build on areas of mutual interest; S.Res 615, A resolution expressing appreciation for the efforts of the Republic of Poland to assist Ukrainian refugees and support the sovereignty of Ukraine following the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and S. Res 632, A resolution calling for the immediate release of Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was unjustly detained on April 11, 2022.
  • Adopted by voice vote, S.Res. 654, Designating June 2022 Great Outdoors Month
  • Adopted en bloc by unanimous consent: S.Res 655, S.Res. 656, S.Res. 657, and S.Res. 658
  • Adopted by unanimous consent S.Res. 659, Honoring the memory of Aiden Spencer Perry
  • Adopted by unanimous consent S.Res. 660, Expressing the condolences of the Senate on the death of Hon. Norman Y. Mineta

3:52 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke on the Alaskans of the Week, Mike Livingston and Gertrude Svarny.

3:27 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke on gun violence and the need for legislative action.

3:24 p.m. ML Schumer began wrap up:

  • ML Schumer filed cloture on Executive Calendar #477 Alex Wagner to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force
  • ML Schumer filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Cal. #388, H.R.3967, Honoring our PACT Act of 2021
  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #707 Steven Scott Cliff to be Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #743 Andrew Fois to be Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States for a term of 5 years
  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #769 Christopher A. Coes to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation
  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #964 Benny R. Wagner to be Inspector General of the Tennessee Valley Authority
  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #894 Denis Udall to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring April 15, 2023
  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #895 Teresa Arrington Fox Udall to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring October 6, 2022
  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #905 Denis Udall to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring April 15, 2029 (Reappointment)
  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #906 Teresa Arrington Fox Udall to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring October 6, 2028 (Reappointment)
  • Military Promotions confirmed by Unanimous Consent: Executive Calendar #927 – 963, and all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force.

2:37 p.m. Senator Graham spoke on Memorial Day and Ukraine.

3:01 p.m. Senator Cantwell spoke on gas.

2:29 p.m. By a vote of 82-10, the Senate confirmed Executive Calendar #461 Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat to be Director General of the Foreign Service. Senators voting No: Boozman, Braun, Cotton, Hawley, Hyde-Smith, Lee, Paul, Scott (SC), Scott (FL), and Shelby. Senators not voting: Blackburn, Cramer, Cruz, Merkley, Murkowski, Portman, Sanders, and Van Hollen.

1:47 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #461 Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat to be Director General of the Foreign Service.

1:44 p.m. Senator Tester spoke on the Sergeant First Class Heating Robinson Act of 2022.

1:35 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke on inflation.

1:26 p.m. Senator Thune spoke on the mass shooting in Texas and Myrtle, South Dakota.

1:14 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke in favor of the nomination of Leopoldo Martinez Nucete, of Virginia, to be United States Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of three years, and asked unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nomination. Senator Marshall objected to the request. Senator Menendez then spoke in favor of Executive Calendar #815 Monde Muyangwa, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development. Senator Marshall objected to the request.

1:11 p.m. By a vote of 46-48, the Senate did not agree to S.J.Res.46, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security relating to “Procedures for Credible Fear Screening and Consideration of Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and CAT Protection Claims by Asylum Officers”. Republican Leader McConnell and entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote. Party line vote with RL McConnell changing his vote to NO so he could enter a motion to reconsider. Senators not voting: Blackburn, Cramer, Cruz, Merkley, Murkowski, and Van Hollen.

12:26 p.m. The Senate is now voting on passage of S.J.Res.46, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security relating to “Procedures for Credible Fear Screening and Consideration of Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and CAT Protection Claims by Asylum Officers”.

12:25 p.m. By a vote 47-47, cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to H.R. 350, Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act. Majority Leader Schumer entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote.

It was a party line vote with Majority Leader Schumer changing his vote to No to enter a motion to reconsider. Senators not voting: Blackburn, Cramer, Cruz, Merkley, Murkowski, and Van Hollen.

11:33 a.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.350, Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act.

11:21 a.m. Senator Johnson spoke about the Congressional Review Act and illegal immigration.

11:11 a.m. Senator Cornyn paid tribute to the mass shooting in Texas.

11:05 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke in support of the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act

10:59 a.m. Senator Lee spoke in support of the Congressional Review Act

10:55 a.m. Senator Lankford spoke about the Congressional Review Act.

10:43 a.m. Senator Paul spoke against the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act.

10:33 a.m. RL McConnell spoke about inflation.

10:15 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about gun violence and the domestic terrorism prevention act.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will begin consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R.350, Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act.

There are two votes at 11:30 a.m.:

1. Cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.350.
2. Passage of S.J.Res.46, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security relating to “Procedures for Credible Fear Screening and Consideration of Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and CAT Protection Claims by Asylum Officers”.

There is one vote at 1:45 p.m.:

1.Confirmation of Executive Calendar #461 – Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, to be Director General of the Foreign Service.