Monday, July 23, 2018

6:53 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. Tuesday. After leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 6147, the FY ’19 appropriation for the Interior Department and related agencies. The Senate will recess for policy lunches from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m.

6:51 p.m. By voice votes, the Senate passed H.R. 589, as amended, and S. 2503, amended, bills to establish certain Energy Department programs. By voice vote, the Senate passed H.R. 2353, the reauthorization of the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.

6:40 p.m. Senator Udall spoke in favor of the Minibus bill.

6:10 p.m. Senator Murkowski called up her amendment #3400. She spoke in favor of the bill. She spoke about the Wilkie nomination.

6:10 p.m. Senator Shelby spoke on the bill and called up the substitute amendment, #3399.

6:09 p.m. The Senate has begun consideration of H.R. 6147, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, for FY ’19 (minibus II).

6:08 p.m. The Wilkie nomination was confirmed 86-9.

Senators voting against: 8 Democrats (Booker, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Harris, Markey, Merkley, Warren and Wyden); 1 Independent: Sanders.

5:28 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the Wilkie nomination.

 

4:52 p.m. Senators Moran, Boozman, Tester, Isakson and Tillis spoke about the Wilkie nomination.

4:38 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the Kavanaugh nomination and President Trump’s speech from Helsinki.

3:42 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about immigration.

3:08 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about nominations.

***

The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m.  Following Leader remarks, the Senate will be in Executive Session to consider the nomination of Robert Wilkie to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Wilkie nomination.

Upon disposition of the Wilkie nomination, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R. 6147, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, for FY ’19 (minibus II).