5:54 p.m. ML McConnell asked that the Senate adjourn until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 16th. Following Leader remarks the Senate resume consideration of the House message to accompany S. 140, White Mountain Apache Water Rights Quantification Act and at 5:30 p.m. the Senate vote on cloture on the motion to concur.
5:53 p.m. ML McConnell began the Rule 14 process to bypass committee and place directly on the Calendar of Business S. 140, State and Tribal regulation of Hemp production.
5:52 p.m. ML McConnell asked u.c. to consider S.Res 461, Commending the University of Central Missory Ginnys for willing the national championship
5:31 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the Alaskan of the Week, Mr. John Active.
5:25 p.m. Senator Moran spoke supporting the Broomes nomination.
5:21 p.m. Senator McConnell filled the “amendment tree” to a House amendment to accompany S. 140-White Mountain Apache Water Rights Quantification Act.
5:20 p.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on a House amendment to accompany S. 140-White Mountain Apache Water Rights Quantification Act.
5:18 p.m. The Jennings nomination was confirmed by voice vote.
5:18 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Jennings nomination by a vote 94-2.
4:50 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the Nomination of Rebecca Grady Jennings to be U.S. District Judge for Kentucky. 94-2
4:47 p.m. The nomination of John Broomes to be a judge on the Kansas District court was confirmed by voice vote.
4:47 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the nomination of John Broomes to be a judge on the Kansas District Court.
4:31 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of John Broomes to be a judge on the Kansas District Court.
4:31 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Wheeler nomination 53- 45. Democrats Donnelly, Heitkamp and Manchin voted in favor. Senators Duckworth and McCain were absent.
3:59 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the Wheeler nomination.
3:34 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke against the Wheeler nomination.
3:26 p.m. Senator Cantwell spoke against the Wheeler nomination.
3:00 p.m. Senator Carper returned to discuss the Wheeler nomination.
2:54 p.m. Senator Cassidy paid tribute to a Louisiana Marine, Taylor Conrad who was recently killed in action; and later spoke on the status of nominations.
2:39 p.m. Senator Collins spoke on opioid addiction.
2:20 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke on remarks by the Governor of Vermont about gun control.
2:06 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke about Scott Pruitt, the EPA and the Wheeler nomination.
1:43 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about the Wheeler nomination.
12:48 p.m. Senator Udall spoke about Scott Pruitt, the Wheeler nomination and the EPA.
12:20 p.m. Senator Carper spoke against the Wheeler nomination.
12:15 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about the Wheeler nomination.
12:00 Senator Barrasso spoke in favor of the Wheeler nomination.
11:53 a.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke against the Wheeler nomination.
11:46 a.m. Senator Carper spoke about the service and sacrifice of employees at the FBI and Homeland Security.
11:31 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the employees of the FBI and James Comey.
11:05 a.m. Senator Carper spoke about Scott Pruitt and his lack of leadership at EPA and against the Wheeler nomination.
10:49 a.m. DL Schumer spoke on the Mueller investigation and President Trump and later discussed tax reform.
10:40 a.m. Senator Wyden joined ML McConnell in discussing the Hemp Farming Act.
10:30 a.m. ML McConnell used leader time to discuss nominations and regulatory reform; introducing the “Hemp Farming Act of 2018.”
10:29 a.m. Cloture was invoked on the Wheeler nomination, 53-45.
Senators in favor: 50 Republicans, 3 Democrats (Donnelly, Heitkamp and Manchin).
Senators against: 42 Democrats, 2 Independents: King and Sanders.
Senator not voting: 1 Democrat: Duckworth, 1 Republican: McCain.
10:04 a.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Deputy Administrator of the EPA.
10:02 a.m. The Pizzella nomination was confirmed on a party line voter of 50-48. Senators Duckworth and McCain did not vote.
9:30 a.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Patrick Pizzella to be Deputy Secretary of Labor.
***
The Senate convened at 9:15 a.m.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes:
- Confirmation of the nomination of Patrick Pizzella to be Deputy Secretary of Labor.
- Cloture on the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.