Tuesday, September 19, 2017

7:15 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 8:30 a.m. on Thursday.

7:03 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about health care.

6:59 a.m. In wrap-up, Senator McConnell secured consent for Amendment #545 to H.R. 2810 to be adopted; for passage of H.R. 3110, to modify the term of the independent member of the Financial Stability Oversight Council; and for passage of S. Res. 265, making Sept. 22 National Falls Prevention Awareness Day.

The Senate also consented to schedule a pro forma session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, followed by adjournment until 4 p.m. on Monday, September 25. The Senate will then resume consideration of the William Emanuel nomination to the N.L.R.B., with a confirmation vote at 5:30 p.m.

6:40 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about Hurricane Irma.

6:17 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

5:54 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about taxes.

5:42 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about health care.

5:25 p.m. Senator Hassan spoke about health care.

4:59 p.m. Senator Franken spoke about health care.

4:42 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke about health care.

4:39 p.m. Senators McCain and ML McConnell gave tribute to long time McCain staffer Joe Donahue.

4:38 p.m. By a party-line vote of 49 to 44, cloture was invoked on the Emanuel nomination to be a member of the NLRB. Not voting: Cochran, Hirono, Menendez, Moran, Nelson, Schatz and Strange.

4:02 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on Exec. Cal. #176 , William Emanuel to be a member of the NLRB.

3:56 p.m. Senator King spoke about health care.

3:48 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about health care.

3:47 p.m. There will be a 4:00 p.m. vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of William J. Emanuel to be a member of the National Labor Relations Board.

3:18 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about health care.

2:54 p.m. Senator Collins introduced a re-insurance health care bill.

2:26 p.m. Senators Cardin and Cantwell  spoke about the Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill.

2:15 p.m. Senator Warren spoke on the Equifax breach.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from recess.

12:58 p.m. The Senate recessed to accomodate the weekly caucus luncheons.

12:57 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Noel J. Francisco to be the Solicitor General by a party line vote of  50 to 47.  Senators Cochran,  Menendez and Moran did not vote.

11:59 a.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke on health care.

11:45 a.m. Senator Markey spoke on health care.

11:35 a.m. Senator Boozman paid tribute to the U.S. Air Force.

11:34 a.m. Cloture was invoked on the Francisco nomination by a party line vote of 49 to 47. Senators Cochran, Graham, Menendez and Moran did not vote. The vote on confirmation is expected at 12:15 p.m.

11:00 a.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the Francisco nomination to be Solicitor General.

10:42 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about health care.

10:31 a.m. Senator Schumer expressed displeasure regarding the process for bringing up the Graham-Cassidy proposal.

10:22 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the London Subway attack, reauthorizing section 702 of FISA, and modernization of CFIUS.

10:14 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke supporting the Francisco nomination, the need for tax reform, and supporting the Graham-Cassidy proposal.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened and resumed consideration of the Francisco nomination.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Noel J. Francisco to be Solicitor General of the United States, with the time until 11:00 a.m. equally divided.

At 11:00 a.m., the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Francisco nomination.

If cloture is invoked, all post-cloture time will expire at 12:15 p.m., at which point the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Following disposition of the Francisco nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons.