6:15 p.m. The Senate adjourned to reconvene on Tuesday, March 14 at 2:00 p.m. When the Senate reconvenes and following Leader remarks,  it will resume consideration of H.J. Res 42, disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to drug testing of unemployment compensation applicants. A vote on passage is possible during tomorrow’s session.

6:12 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke on H.J. Res 42.

6:08 p.m. ML McConnell proceeded to the following:

• nomination to of Daniel Coats to be Director of National Intelligence, and filed cloture on the nomination.
• Lt. Gen. Herbert R. McMaster, Jr. to be Lieutenant General and filed cloture on the nomination.
• H.J.Res.42, the Drug Testing CRA.
• UC that Senate adjourn until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday and resume consideration of H.J. Res 42; following the remarks of Senator Cruz.

6:07 p.m. Seema Verda confirmed by a vote of 55-43.

Senators in favor: 51 Republicans, 3 Democrats (Donnelly, Heitkamp, and Manchin) 1 Independent (King).

Senators against: 42 Democrats 1 Independent (Sanders).

Senators not voting: 1 Democrat (Peters), 1 Republican (Isakson).

5:30 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of Seema Verda to be  Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

5:03 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about CBO numbers of the House health care bill.

4:46 p.m. Senator Boozman paid tribute to Jim Rollins, Superintendent of the Spring Dale Arkansas public schools.

4:36 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about health care.

4:02 p.m. Senator Roberts spoke about wildfires in Kansas.

3:34 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about health care.

3:06 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about President Trump’s allegations about wiretapping and later about our relationship with Israel.  He also went on to discuss sunshine week and the Gorsuch nomination.

2:38 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke in favor of the Verma nomination.

2:22 p.m. DL Schumer thanked the office of the attending physician and hoped the stenographer will be OK.  He then went on to discuss health care.

2:08 p.m. The Senate stood in recess subject to the call of the chair due to a medical issue with a stenographer on the Senate floor.

2:02 p.m. ML McConnell spoke about health care and the Supreme Court nomination.

***

The Senate will convene at 2:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Seema Verma to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, post-cloture.

At 5:30 pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the Verma nomination.