1:54 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene for proforma sessions only (no business conducted) on Monday, February 20th at 4:30 p.m. and Thursday, February 23rd at 9:00 a.m.
On Monday, February 27th, the Senate will convene at 12:00 pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session, as under the previous order. At 3:00 pm, Senator Sasse will be recognized to deliver Washington’s Farewell Address, as under the previous order.
At 7:00 pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #3, Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., of Florida, to be Secretary of Commerce. Following the disposition of the Ross nomination, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #8, Ryan Zinke, of Montana, to be Secretary of the Interior.
During wrap up the Senate passed the following:
S.442 – NASA Authorization
H.R.609 – Abbie Abraham VA Clinic
S.Res.55 – Denali National Park with Murkowski amendment
S.Res.65 – National Speech and Debate Education Day
S.Res.66 – Career and Technical Education Month
S.Res.67 – National Health and Wellness Coach Recognition Week
H.Con.Res.23 – State of the Union
1:47 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Ross nomination by a vote of 66 to 31.
1:16 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the Wilbur Ross nomination to be Secretary of Commerce.
1:15 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Scott Pruitt to serve as EPA administrator 52 -46. (Senator Collins voted no; Senators Heitkamp and Manchin voted yes).
1:03 p.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of Scott Pruitt to serve as EPA administrator.
12:34 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to extend debate on the Pruitt nomination.
12:21 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke in favor of the Pruitt nomination.
12:16 p.m. Senator Carper spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
12:08 p.m. Senator Peters spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
12:02 p.m. Senator Tester spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
11:46 a.m. Senator Daines spoke in favor of the Pruitt nomination, with a brief colloquy with Senator Gardner.
11:38 a.m. Senator Heinrich spoke about the Gold King Mine spill and the Pruitt nomination.
11:31 a.m. Senator Inhofe spoke in favor of the Pruitt nomination.
11:20 a.m. DL Schumer spoke about AG Sessions to recuse himself regarding the Flynn situation, and later against the Pruitt nomination.
11:12 a.m. Senator Merkley spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
11:08 a.m. Senator Durbin paid tribute to Bob Michel.
11:04 a.m. Senator Hatch spoke in favor of the Pruitt nomination.
10:45 a.m. Senator Udall spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
10:40 a.m. Senator Hirono spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
10:15 a.m. Senator Sullivan spoke in favor of the Pruitt nomination.
9:34 a.m. Senator Merkley spoke on the Pruitt nomination and asked unanimous consent that the confirmation vote on Pruitt be postponed until 10 a.m. on March 3rd. ML McConnell objected. Senator Merkley then asked unanimous consent that confirmation vote on Pruitt be postponed until 9:00 a.m on February 27th. ML McConnell objected. Senator Merkley then moved to extend post-cloture debate on the nomination of Pruitt for 248 hours. ML McConnell objected and the Senate will vote on the motion to extend debate on the nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency at 12:30 p.m. today. ML McConnell then asked unanimous consent that following disposition of the Pruitt nomination, the Senate debate the nominations of Ross, Zinke, Carson, and Perry en bloc for 30 minutes and then vote in that order. Senator Merkley objected.
9:22 a.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
8:53 a.m. Senator King spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
8:09 a.m. Senator Durbin engages Senator Gardner in a brief exchange regarding the Pruitt nomination and the Gold King Mine spill; before speaking against the Pruitt nomination and the Trump administration.
7:59 a.m. Senator Gardner spoke in favor of the Pruitt nomination and regarding the Gold King Mine spill in Colorado.
7:55 a.m. Senator Carper spoke briefly welcoming Senator Harris to the Senate.
7:30 a.m. Senator Harris spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
6:45 a.m. Senator Murphy spoke on the Trump administration.
5:01 a.m. Senator Carper spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
2:57 a.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
2:03 a.m. Senator Cantwell spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
12:57 a.m. Senator Duckworth spoke against the Pruitt nomination.
