5:08 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 22nd. On Monday, following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #374, Mark T. Esper, of Virginia, to be Secretary of Defense. At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Esper nomination.
5:05 p.m. ML McConnell began wrap up. ML McConnell announced votes on:
Monday, July 22nd at 5:30 pm – 1 roll call vote:
1. Motion to invoke cloture on Mark T. Esper, of Virginia, to be Secretary of Defense
Tuesday, July 23rd at 12:00 Noon – 2 roll call votes:
1. Confirmation of Mark T. Esper, of Virginia, to be Secretary of Defense
2. Motion to invoke cloture on Stephen M. Dickson, of Georgia, to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
Tuesday, July 23rd at 2:30 pm – 3 roll call votes:
1. Lee Amendment #928 (limit amount available) [60 vote threshold]
2. Paul Amendment #929 (pay-for 10years projected costs) [60 vote threshold]
3. Passage of H.R. 1327, Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, as amended, if amended
The Senate Agreed to S.Con.Res.19, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing and began the Rule 14 process to place H.R.748, to repeal the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage, on the Legislative Calendar of Business.
3:45 p.m. Senator Casey spoke about the asylum system.
3:36 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about veterans.
2:55 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about the minimum wage bill.
2:24 p.m. Senator Lee spoke on the 9/11 first responders funding bill H.R. 1327 and asked UC that a time to be determined the Senate take up the bill with his two amendments, and vote on amendments and the bill; each vote with an affirmative 60 vote threshold. Senators Gillibrand and Schumer spoke on the bill but did not object.
2:10 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on the following nominations:
- Mark Esper to be Secretary of Defense
- Stephen M. Dickson to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
- Wendy Berger to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida
- Brian Buescher to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Nebraska
2:10 p.m. The Tapia nomination was confirmed 66-26.
Senators in favor: 51 Republicans, 14 Democrats (Cardin, Carper, Coons, Duckworth, Hassan, Jones, Leahy, Manchin, Menendez, Murphy, Rosen, Shaheen, Sinema and Whitehouse); 1 Independent: King
Senators voting against; 26 Democrats
Senators not voting: 5 Democrats: Booker, Cortez Masto, Harris, Stabenow and Warren; 2 Republicans: Isakson and Moran; 1 Independent: Sanders
1:38 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Donald R. Tapia to be Ambassador to Jamaica..
1:32 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about the One Small Step Act and lunar exploration.
1:23 p.m. Senator Peters spoke about the 1969 moon landing and his One Small Step Act. S.1694 One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act was agreed to by voice vote.
12:50 p.m Senator Blackburn spoke on internet privacy.
12:41 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke on trade issues.
12:40 p.m. The Blanchard nomination was confirmed 54-40.
Senators voting in favor: 51 Republicans, 3 Democrats: Jones, Manchin and Sinema.
Senators voting against: 38 Democrats, 1 Republican: Collins, 1 Independent: King.
Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Cortez Masto, Harris and Stabenow; 1 Republican: Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.
12:11 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Lynda Blanchard to be Ambassador to Slovenia.
12:10 p.m. The Corker nomination was confirmed 55-39.
Senators voting in favor: 52 Republicans, 3 Democrats: Jones, Manchin and Sinema.
Senators voting against: 38 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.
Senators not voting: 4 Democrats: Booker, Cortez Masto, Harris and Stabenow; 1 Republican: Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders.
11:31 a.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of the nomination of Clifton Corker to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
11:25 a.m. Senator Cotton paid tribute to Army Ranger Bingaman Kopp who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009.
11:16 a.m. Senator Murphy spoke about the Affordable Care Act.
11:07 a.m. Senator Lankford spoke about the debt ceiling.
10:48 a.m. Senator Kaine related the Good Samaritan story to the treatment of immigrants.
10:32 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about President Trump’s personal attacks. He spoke about benefits for firefighters and law enforcement personnel. He spoke about the potential for abuse of facial recognition tools. He spoke about the detention of immigrant children.
10:23 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about Internet privacy concerns.
10:06 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell paid tribute to aKentucky deputy sheriff who was shot on the job. He spoke about treaties. He spoke about nominations.
10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade agreement.
*****
The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume post-cloture consideration of the nomination of Clifton Corker to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
At 11:30 a.m. there will be confirmation votes on the Corker nomination and on the nomination of Lynda Blanchard to be Ambassador to Slovenia.
At 1:45 p.m., there will be a confirmation vote on the nomination of Donald R. Tapia to be Ambassador to Jamaica.
