Monday, January 22, 2018

5:21 p.m. The Senate adjourned until noon Tuesday, January 23.

5:06 p.m. Senator Daines spoke about abortion.

5 p.m. Senator McConnell spoke about the spending deal. The leader filed  cloture on the following nominations:

1. Jerome Powell to be chair of the Federal Reserve.

2. Alex Azar to be Secretary of HHS.

3. Sam Brownback to be an ambassador-at-large for religious freedom.

The Senate agreed to convene on Tuesday at noon. Recess for policy lunches will be from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

4:59 p.m. By a vote of 81 to 18, the Senate voted to concur in the House amendments to the revised resolution to reauthorize CHIP and continue fedeal spending until Feb. 8 (H.R. 195).

Senators voting NO: Blumenthal, Booker, Cortez-Masto, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Harris, Hirono, Leahy, Lee, (R), Markey, Menendez, Merkley, Murphy, Paul (R), Sanders (I), Tester, Warren, and Wyden. Senator McCain did not vote.

4:04 p.m. The Senate consented to a change in the enrollment date of the amended spending , to expire on February 8.  The vote began on passage of the spending vehicle, H.R. 195.

3:29 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the government shutdown.

2:38 p.m. Senator Brown spoke in morning business about the Affordable Care Act.

2:20 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the government shutdown, DACA, and CHIP.

1:37 p.m. Senators Burr and Warner spoke about the government shutdown and Section 148 of the CR. Senator Burr asked u.c. that the Burr amendment to the amendment #1917 which is at the desk be agreed to. Senator Cochran objected.

12:57 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about the government shutdown.

12:56 p.m. The motion to invoke cloture as agreed to by a vote of 81 to 18 and the motion to refer falls. The Senators voting NO: Blumenthal, Booker, Cortez Masto, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Harris, Hirono, Leahy, Lee, (R), Markey, Menendez, Merkley, Murphy, Paul (R), Sanders (I), Tester, Warren, and Wyden. Senator McCain did not vote.

12:25 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke briefly and the Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the House message to accompany H.R. 195 as amended.

12:17 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke on the government shutdown.

11:32 a.m. Senator Ernst spoke on the government shutdown.

11:30 a.m. The Senate returned from recess.

10:34 a.m. The Senate stands in recess until 11:30 a.m.

10:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the CR.

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The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and will resume consideration of the House message to accompany H.R. 195, as amended to continue federal spending until February 8 and reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

A vote on cloture for H.R. 195 is expected at noon.