4:29 p.m. Senator Tester spoke about journalist Don Donwell.
4:27 p.m. ML McConnell asked u.c. to immediately consider S.Res. 158, Cinco de Mayo, and H.R.534 – U.S. Competes for a World Expo Act. ML McConnell also announced the Senate meet tomorrow, May 5th at 12:00 p.m. for a Pro Forma session only. On Monday the Senate will convene at 2:00 pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #38, Heather Wilson, of South Dakota, to be Secretary of the Air Force, for up to four hours of debate, equally divided in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time, at approximately 5:30 pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the Wilson nomination. Following the disposition of the Wilson nomination, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #53, Scott Gottlieb, of Connecticut, to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
3:47 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about the National Day of Prayer.
3:30 p.m. Senator Capito spoke about miners benefits included in the Omnibus appropriations.
2:58 p.m. Senator Gardner spoke about prairie fires.
2:41 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke about the health care bill.
2:30 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the health care bill.
2:13 p.m. By a vote of 79 to 18, the Senate agreed to the omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2017. AYE votes: 32 Republicans and all Democrats and independents present.
NAY votes were by Republicans Corker, Cotton, Crapo, Cruz, Daines, Ernst, Fischer, Flake, Graham, Grassley, Heller, Kennedy, Lee, Paul, Risch, Scott, Strange and Toomey. Not voting were Democrat Durbin and Republicans Isakson and Sasse.
1:45 p.m. The vote began on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 244, the omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2017. This is the final vote on the spending bill.
The Senate is considering H.R 244, the omnibus spending bill for Fiscal Year 2017. There will be a roll call vote on passage at 1:45 p.m.
1:43 p.m. Senator Tester spoke in favor of the spending bill.
1:37 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke against the spending bill.
1:29 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about the spending bill.
1:26 p.m. Senator Cochran spoke in favor of the spending bill.
1:17 p.m. Senator Leahy responded to Senator McCain on his criticisms of the omnibus.
1:02 p.m. Senator McCain spoke critically about the omnibus.
12:45 p.m. Senator Murkowski achieved UC that if the motion to concur is agreed to, the Senate immediately proceed to H Con Res 53, an enrollment correction to H.R. 244. She then discussed the pending omnibus bill.
11:52 a.m. Senator Cantwell spoke about Medicaid and the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
11:28 a.m. Senator Merkley spoke about the vision of a government founded to serve the entire set of citizenry.
11:16 a.m. Senator Nelson thanked the four leaders of the House and Senate for their assistance in fighting for bipartisan NASA funding.
11:02 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke against the proposed House health care legislation and recognized Senator Nelson’s efforts for funds for NASA.
11:01 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell asked u.c. That the time until 1:45 p.m. be equally divided and that Senate vote on the motion to concur with the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 244, Omnibus Appropriations for FY 2017 (passage) at that time.
10:49 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the government funding legislation and the assistance provided for opioid abuse, miner benefits, increased funding for charter schools, border security funds, increased military funding, and conforms to spending caps.
10:48 a.m. Senator Donnelly congratulated his fellow Senator from Indiana and also recognized Senator Lugar.
10:47 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell congratulated Senator Young and recognized Senator Lugar’s presence in the Chamber.
10:31 a.m. Senator Young spoke about the principles of the common good and a common mission, and the REINS act. Senator Lugar is in the chamber for Senator Young’s first speech.
10:19 a.m. Senator Flake spoke about immigration.
9:59 a.m. Senator Cornyn endorsed Senator Klobuchar’s action. He spoke about the pending appropriations bill.
9:58 a.m. Senator Klobuchar secured Senate agreement to a bill permitting the State Department to join an international authority on expositions.
9:34 a.m. Senator Blunt spoke about the executive order on religious organizations. He spoke about the spending bill.
* * *
The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. and will consider the omnibus spending bill for Fiscal Year 2017, H.R. 244.
At 10:30 a.m., Senator Young will be recognized to deliver his maiden speech.
Majority Leader McConnell filed cloture Wednesday on the motion to concur with the House amendments to the spending bill. He has filled the amendment tree on the spending bill. He expressed hope for a vote on passage of the omnibus on Thursday.
If there is no such agreement, the cloture vote on the spending bill would occur Friday morning.
The Senate has agreed to vote at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 8 on the nomination of Heather Wilson to be secretary of the Air Force.
