6:48 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke against the Gorsuch nomination; except for a question from Senator Durbin Wednesday morning, Senator Merkley spoke for 15 hours and 27 minutes; until 10:15 a.m.
6:38 Senator Rubio spoke about human rights.
6:34 p.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on Executive Calendar #33, Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. If all time is used, a vote would occur one hour after convening on Thursday, April 6th.
6:20 p.m. Senator Carper spoke against the Gorsuch nomination.
6:10 p.m. Senator Warner spoke against the Gorsuch nomination.
5:30 Senator Booker spoke against the Gorsuch nomination.
4:50 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke in favor of the Gorsuch nomination.
4:40 p.m. Senator Thune spoke in favor of the Gorsuch nomination.
4:30 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke in favor of the Gorsuch nomination.
4:20 p.m. Senator Murray spoke against the Gorsuch nomination.
4:10 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke against the Gorsuch nomination.
4:00 p.m. Senator Warren spoke against the Gorsuch nomination.
3:50 p.m. Senator Duckworth spoke about Equal Pay Day against the Gorsuch nomination.
3:30 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke against the Gorsuch nomination.
3:12 p.m. Senator Gardner spoke in favor of the Gorsuch nomination.
2:48 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke in favor of the Gorsuch nomination.
2:47 p.m. The motion to proceed to executive session to consider the Gorsuch nomination was agreed to 55-44.
Senators voting in favor: 51 Republicans, 4 Democrats: Bennet, Donnelly, Heitkamp and Manchin.
Senators voting against: 42 Democrats, 2 Independents: King and Sanders.
Senators not voting: 1 Republican: Isakson.
2:15 p.m. ML McConnell moved to proceed to executive session to consider the Gorsuch nomination and the Senate began a vote on the motion.
12:36 p.m. The Senate recessed to accommodate the party luncheons.
12:35 p.m. The nomination of Elaine Duke to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security was agreed to by a vote of 85 to 14.
Senators in favor: 51 Republicans, 33 Democrats, 1 Independent (King).
Senators against: 13 Democrats: Blumenthal, Booker, Cortez Masto, Duckworth, Gillibrand, Harris, Heinrich, Markey, Menendez, Merkley, Murphy, Udall and Warren. 1 Independent: Sanders
Senators not voting: Isakson
12:00 p.m. Roll call vote began on the nomination of Elaine Duke to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
11:55 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on legislation he is offering regarding wildlife, invasive species and poaching.
11:52 a.m. Senator Tester spoke against S.J.Res 34, the FCC Privacy CRA that was passed by the Senate on March 23 and signed by the President yesterday.
11:40 a.m. Senator Daines spoke in favor of the Gorsuch nomination.
11:27 a.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about her bill, the Foreign Agent Registration Act, and how it relates to foreign agents, RT news and the Russian government.
11:10 a.m. Senator Sanders spoke against the Gorsuch nomination.
10:51 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke in favor of the Gorsuch nomination.
10:47 a.m. Senator Capito spoke about health benefits for coal miners.
10:21 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about equal pay for women and about the Gorsuch nomination.
10:13 a.m. The Senate resumed consideration of the Duke nomination. Senator Durbin spoke about the Gorsuch nomination.
10:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Gorsuch nomination.
***
The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume consideration of the nomination of Elaine Duke to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
At noon, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Duke nomination.
From 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m., the Senate will recess for policy luncheons.
NOTE: Majority Leader McConnell is expected to move on Tuesday to proceed to the nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court.
