5:35 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 4. They will resume consideration of S. 1, Middle East bill. There will be up to three votes at 5:30
- Adoption of the Menendez 2nd degree amendment #96 to the McConnell amendment #65.
- Adoption of the McConnell amendment #65, as amended if amended
- Motion to invoke cloture on S. 1
During wrap up the Senate passed the following:
- S. Res. 37-designating the week of February 3 as National Tribal Colleges/Universities week
- S. Res. 38-designating the week of February 4 as National School counseling week
- S. Res. 39-Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Farm Bureau Federation.
McConnell #65.
4:57 p.m. Senator Sasse spoke about late term abortion. He introduced S. 311, to prohibit the health care practitioner from failing to exercise the proper decree of care in the case of child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion.
4:33 p.m. Senator Peters spoke about pay inequity.
4:19 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about Syria.
4:01 p.m. Senator King spoke about Intelligence threats.
3:58 p.m. Senator Menendez proposed amendment #96 to amendment #65.
3:55 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture by a vote of 68 to 23 on McConnell Amendment #65 to the Middle East bill, expressing the sense of the Senate that a precipitous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria or Afghanistan could jeopardize hard-won gains against terrorist groups in those countries. Senators voting NO: Baldwin, Booker, Cardin, Cruz, Gillibrand, Harris, Heinrich, Hirono, Kennedy, Klobuchar, Leahy, Lee, Markey, Merkley, Murphy, Sanders, Schatz, Schumer, Smith, Udall, Van Hollen, Warren, Wyden. Senators NOT voting: Alexander, Blunt, Brown, Durbin, Isakson, Paul, Moran, and Sullivan.
2:57 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on McConnell Amendment #65 to the Middle East bill, expressing the sense of the Senate that a precipitous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria or Afghanistan could jeopardize hard-won gains against terrorist groups in those countries.
2:37 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about the Middle East bill.
2:24 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke about infrastructure.
2:17 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.
1:30 p.m. Senator Thune asked u.c. that the previously scheduled vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Senate amendment #65 will now occur at 3:00 pm.
1:01 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke about the economy.
12:12 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke about Sarah Root.
11:37 a.m. Senator Burr spoke about cigarettes.
11:23 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the cost of prescription drugs and paid tribute to U.S. Marshall Susan Parmelo and Judge Mary Lou Robinson.
11:15 a.m. Senator Risch spoke about the Middle East bill.
11:01 a.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about the Middle East bill.
10:38 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the Middle East bill. He spoke about the South Dakota, a new fast-attack submarine.
10:16 a.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture petitions for S. 1, the Middle East security measure, and S.47, a natural resources management measure.
10:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Middle East security bill and his amendment on troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and Syria. He spoke about the proposed revision of election law in H.R. 1.
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The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume consideration of the Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 (S. 1).
At 3:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on McConnell Amendment #65 to the Middle East bill, expressing the sense of the Senate that a precipitous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria or Afghanistan could jeopardize hard-won gains against terrorist groups in those countries.
