7:37 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday February 15, 2018.
7:36 p.m. ML McConnell achieved the following by UC in wrap-up: Adopted Legal Counsel. Passed S. 2246, to designate the health care center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Tallahassee, Florida, as the Sergeant Ernest I. “Boots” Thomas VA Clinic. The following to be to be Rear Admiral: Rear Adm. Steven Andersen and Rear Adm. Keith Smith.
7:35 p.m. ML McConnell confirms by voice vote: Margaret Weichert to be Deputy Director for management of the Office of Management and Budget.
7:34 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell filed cloture on all 4 amendments pending to the immigration bill:
- Grassley amendment in the nature of a substitute (#1959)
- Toomey amendment to ensure that State and local law enforcement may cooperate with Federal officials to protect our communities from violent criminals and suspected terrorists who are illegally present in the United States. (#1948)
- Schumer amendment in the nature of a substitute (#1958) [Dream/Border] to the language proposed to be stricken by Grassley amendment #1959.
- Coons-McCain amendment to Schumer amendment #1958, to provide relief from removal and adjustment of status of certain individuals who are long-term United States residents and who entered the United States before reaching the age of 18, improve border security, foster United States engagement in Central America, and for other purposes. (#1955)
7:33 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer modified his amendment, #1958.
7:01 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the school shooting in Florida, and then paid tribute to Commander Paul Bauer of the Chicago Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty recently.
5:01 p.m. Senator Coons spoke about immigration.
4:42 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on immigration.
4:21 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on the school shooting in Miami and immigration.
4:02 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke on immigration.
3:48 p.m. Senator Casey spoke about DACA and immigration.
3:26 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on immigration.
3:15 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about a school shooting in Miami and on immigration.
3:06 p.m. Senator Heinrich spoke on immigration.
2:55 p.m. Senator Cortez Masto spoke about immigration.
2:36 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke about immigration.
2:09 p.m Senator Barrasso spoke about tax reform.
1:54 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about immigration.
1:34 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about immigration.
12:45 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke about immigration and border security.
12:32 p.m. Senator Perdue spoke about immigration.
12:00 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about immigration.
11:49 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke about immigration.
11:18 a.m. Senator Tillis spoke about immigration.
11:01 a.m. Senator Menendez spoke about immigration.
10:41 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration.
10:33 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about various immigration proposals. He spoke about taxes.
10:32 a.m. Senator Grassley called up his Amendment #1959. Senator McConnell called up the Toomey Amendment #1948 to the Grassley Amendment. Minority Leader Schumer called up Amendment #1958, to strike certain language from Grassley Amendment #1959. Senator Durbin called up the Durbin for Coons Amendment #1955 to the Schumer Amendment #1958.
10:31 a.m. By voice vote, the Senate agreed to proceed to the immigration bill.
10:08 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the debate on immigration. He spoke about public works.
*****
The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 2579, the legislative vehicle for immigration legislation.
At about 10:30 a.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to proceed to the immigration bill. A voice vote is possible.
