7:51 p.m. The Senate adjourned.
6:38 p.m. Senator Merkley paid tribute to two departing staff members, Becka Ward and Meredith Booker and later on the Mueller report.
6:35 p.m. Senator Cornyn achieved UC for roll call votes on Wednesday as follows:
11:00 a.m., three votes:
- Confirmation of Stephen Dickson to be administrator of the FAA
- Wendy Berger to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida
- Brian Buescher to be United States District Judge of Nebraska
3:00 p.m. two votes:
- Confirmation of the Berger nomination
- Confirmation of the Buescher nomination
Passed in wrap-up:
- S Res 265, designating July 27, 2019 as National Day of the American Cowboy
- S Res 194, designating July 30, 2019 as National Whistleblower appreciation day
Further that when the Senate adjourn, following the remarks of Senator Merkley, they reconvene on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.
6:18 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the 9/11 victims compensation fund bill and later on health care.
5:46 p.m Senator Grassley spoke on the Mueller report.
5:30 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke against the Dickson nomination.
4:45 p.m. Senator Reed spoke about Russian interference in the 2016 election and the Mueller report.
4:07 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke honoring Justice John Paul Stevens. Senator Durbin asked u.c to call up and agree to S. Res 282, Honoring Former Associate Justice John Paul Stevens of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Resolution was agreed to by unanimous consent. Senator Durbin spoke about the humanitarian crisis at the border.
3:47 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke on health care.
3:46 p.m. The Senate passed H.R. 1327 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund by a tally of 97-2. Senators Lee and Paul voted no. Senator Isakson was absent.
3:30 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R. 1327, 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund.
3:29 p.m. Senator Gillibrand spoke supporting H.R. 1327.
3:28 p.m. By a tally of 22-77 the Senate did not agree to the Paul amendment to H.R. 1327. Senator Isakson did not vote.
Senators voting yes: 22 Republicans (Barasso, Blackburn, Braun, Cassidy, Crapo, Cruz, Daines, Enzi, Grassley, Hyde Smith, Inhofe, Kennedy, Lankford, Lee, Paul, Risch, Romney, Sasse, Scott (SC), Thune, Toomey and Wicker).
3:10 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of Paul amendment #929 to H.R.1327, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act. [60 vote threshold]
3:10 p.m. The Senate did not agree to the Lee amendment by a vote of 32-66. Senators Burr and Isakson did not vote.
Senators voting against: 45 Democrats, 19 Republicans (Alexander, Boozman, Capito, Collins, Cornyn, Cotton, Cramer, Ernst, Gardner, Graham, Hawley, Hoeven, McConnell, McSally, Moran, Murkowski, Portman, Roberts, and Thune) and 2 Independents.
2:40 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on the Lee Amendment #928 (limit amount available) [60 vote threshold] to H.R.1327, 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund.
2:20 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer and Senators Gillibrand and Lee spoke on the 9/11 bill.
2:05 p.m. Senator Paul spoke on funding of the 9/11 bill.
2:00 p.m. The Senate returned from recess. Senator Gardner spoke on the pending 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.
1:03 p.m. The Senate recessed until 2:00 p.m. to accommodate the weekly caucus luncheons.
1:02 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Dickson nomination on a party line vote of 52 to 45. Senators Isakson, Sanders and Whitehouse were absent.
12:36 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Stephen Dickson to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
12:35 p.m. The Esper nomination was confirmed by a vote of 90 to 8. Senators Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, Klobuchar, Markey, Merkley, Warren, and Wyden voted NO. Senators Isakson and Sanders were absent.
12:03 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Mark Esper to be Secretary of Defense.
11:57 a.m. Senator Inhofe spoke supporting the nomination of Mark Esper to be Secretary of Defense.
11:52 a.m. Senator Wicker spoke supporting the Dixon nomination to be Administrator of the FAA.
11:33 a.m. Senator Rosen spoke about the humanitarian crisis at the border.
11:17 a.m. Senator Sinema delivered her maiden floor speech.
11:03 a.m. Senator Wyden spoke about encryption and data protection.
10:42 a.m. Senator Cantwell spoke about the nomination of Stephen Dickson as head of the FAA.
10:37 a.m. Majority Whip Thune spoke about the nomination of Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense.
10:17 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about conditions in immigrant detention facilities. Then he spoke about funding for the opioid crisis. Lastly, he spoke about the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.
10:05 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about military funding. Then he spoke about the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Lastly, he spoke about America’s rival with great powers like Russia and China.
10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke on wasteful spending in the Pentagon budget.
10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.
***
The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.
Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R.1327, Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.
12:00 Noon – 2 roll call votes:
- Confirmation of Executive Calendar #374, Mark Esper to be Secretary of Defense
- Cloture on Executive Calendar #371, Stephen Dickson to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
2:30pm – 3 roll call votes:
- Lee Amendment #928 (limit amount available) [60 vote threshold] to R.1327,
- Paul Amendment #929 (pay-for 10 years projected costs) [60 vote threshold] to R.1327,
- Passage of R. 1327, Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act
Cloture has also been filed on the following:
- Wendy Berger to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida
- Brian Buescher to be United States District Judge of Nebraska
