6:34 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene for pro forma sessions at 9:45 on May 24, 11:30 on May 28 and 10:30 on May, 31. They will reconvene for regular session at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, June 3. They will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 1332 (Senator Paul Budget Bill). A vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S. 1332 will occur at 5:30. If cloture is not invoked there will be a 2nd vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Andrew Saul to be the Commissioner of Social Security.
During wrap up Senator McConnell filed cloture on the following nominations:
- Andrew Saul to be to be Commissioner of the Social Security Administration
- David Schenker to be Assistant Secretary of State
- Heath Tarbert to be Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
- Heath Tarbert to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
- Susan Combs to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior
- Ryan Holte to be a Judge of the US Court of Federal Claims
- Rossie Alston to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.
- Richard Hertling to be a a Judge of the US Court of Federal Claims
The following bills were passed by unanimous consent:
Agreed to S.Con.Res.3: Marshall Islands.
Adopted S.Res.213: National Public Works Week.
Adopted S.Res.222: Vision to Learn.
Adopted S.Res.223: DIPG Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day.
Adopted S.Res.224: National Nurses Week.
Adopted S.Res.225: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day.
Adopted S.Res.226: National Foster Care Month.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of S.886, and the bill be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Passed S.1693: to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program for 2 weeks (June 14, 2019). If the House passes the disaster supplemental appropriations bill as passed by the Senate, the National Flood Insurance Program will be reauthorized to September 30, 2019.
The following nominations were confirmed by unanimous consent:
ARMY
Executive Calendar #247 – Col. Edward S. Smith to be Brigadier General
MARINE CORPS
Executive Calendar #248 – the following to be Brigadier General:
Col. Marcus B. Annibale
Col. Melvin G. Carter
Col. Robert C. Fulford
Col. Joseph A. Matos, III
Col. Jason L. Morris
Col. Thomas B. Savage
Col. Daniel L. Shipley
Col. James B. Wellons
Col. Brian N. Wolford
ARMY
Executive Calendar #249 – Maj. Gen. Duane A. Gamble to be Lieutenant General
NAVY
Executive Calendar #250 – Rear Adm. Scott D. Conn to be Vice Admiral
ARMY
Executive Calendar #251 – Gen. James C. McConville to be General
AIR FORCE
Executive Calendar #253 – Maj. Gen. Marc H. Sasseville to be Lieutenant General
Executive Calendar #254 – Maj. Gen. Eric T. Fick to be Lieutenant General
ARMY
Executive Calendar #255 – Lt. Gen. Joseph M. Martin to be General
Executive Calendar #256 – Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson to be Lieutenant General
Executive Calendar #257 – Maj. Gen. Robert P. White to be Lieutenant General
NAVY
Executive Calendar #258 – Vice Adm. William R. Merz to be Vice Admiral
Executive Calendar #259 – Rear Adm. Ross A. Myers to be Vice Admiral
MARINE CORPS
Executive Calendar. #260 – Lt. Gen. Eric M. Smith to be Lieutenant General
AIR FORCE
Executive Calendar #261 – Lt. Gen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr. to be General
Executive Calendar #262 – Col. David A. Harris, Jr. to be Brigadier General
NAVY
Executive Calendar #263 – Adm. William F. Moran to be Admiral
Executive Calendar #264 – Vice Adm. Robert P. Burke to be Admiral
MARINE CORPS
Executive Calendar #265 – Lt. Gen. Herman S. Clardy, III to be Lieutenant General
ARMY
Executive Calendar #266 – The following to be Major General:
Brig. Gen. Peter B. Andrysiak, Jr.
Brig. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga
Brig. Gen. John W. Brennan, Jr.
Brig. Gen. Miguel A. Correa
Brig. Gen. Clement S. Coward, Jr.
Brig. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe
Brig. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue
Brig. Gen. Scott L. Efflandt
Brig. Gen. Michael R. Fenzel
Brig. Gen. David J. Francis
Brig. Gen. Bradley T. Gericke
Brig. Gen. Neil S. Hersey
Brig. Gen. Lonnie G. Hibbard
Brig. Gen. Diana M. Holland
Brig. Gen. Omar J. Jones, IV
Brig. Gen. Stephen J. Maranian
Brig. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane
Brig. Gen. Christopher O. Mohan
Brig. Gen. Laura A. Potter
Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Pugh
Brig. Gen. Robert A. Rasch, Jr.
Brig. Gen. John B. Richardson, IV
Brig. Gen. Kenneth T. Royar
Brig. Gen. Stephen G. Smith
Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Todd, III
Brig. Gen. Kevin Vereen
Brig. Gen. Robert F. Whittle, Jr.
Brig. Gen. David Wilson
AIR FORCE
Executive Calendar #267 – Col. Tracy D. Smith to be Brigadier General
Executive Calendar #268 – Col. Frank W. Roy to be Brigadier General
ARMY
Executive Calendar #269 – Maj. Gen. Leopoldo A. Quintas, Jr. to be Lieutenant General
Executive Calendar #270 – Brig. Gen. Kenneth A. Nava to be Major General
Executive Calendar #271 – The following to be Major General:
Brig. Gen. Francis J. Evon, Jr.
Brig. Gen. David J. Mikolaities
Executive Calendar #272 – Brig. Gen. Mark J. Schindler to be Major General
Executive Calendar #273 – The following to be Major General:
Brig. Gen. John F. Hussey
Brig. Gen. Andrew J. Juknelis
The following to be Brigadier General:
Col. Jan C. Norris
Col. Michael K. Pyle
Executive Calendar #274 – The following to be Brigadier General:
Col. Nicole M. Balliet
Col. James A. Benson
Col. Brian D. Bobo
Col. Rodney C. Boyd
Col. Andre J. Chevalier
Col. Michael N. Cleveland
Col. Amy F. Cook
Col. Timothy D. Covington
Col. Ronald A. Cupples
Col. Jamie J. Dailey
Col. Ronnie B. Delfin
Col. Thomas C. Friloux
Col. Kevin A. Fujimoto
Col. Doyle Gillis, Jr.
Col. Charles D. Hausman
Col. Cindy H. Haygood
Col. Lynn M. Heng
Col. Larry L. Henry
Col. Scott W. Hiipakka
Col. Christine L. Hoffmann
Col. Bryan M. Howay
Col. Jack A. James
Col. Nick Johnson
Col. Robert J. Larkin
Col. John A. Leblanc
Col. David A. Lopina
Col. Corwin J. Lusk
Col. Roger D. Lyles
Col. Thomas H. Mancino
Col. Timothy S. Mclaughlin
Col. Alberto L. Miranda
Col. Jennifer R. Mitchell
Col. Jesse M. Morehouse
Col. Alan B. Naugher
Col. John T. Oakley
Col. Douglas A. Paul
Col. John A. Pelleriti
Col. John J. Perkins
Col. Dean A. Preston
Col. Stephen L. Rhoades
Col. Christopher S. Sandison
Col. Stephen E. Schemenauer
Col. Matthew D. Smith
Col. Wallace E. Steinbrecher
Col. Robin B. Stilwell
Col. Craig W. Strong
Col. Blair E. Tinkham
Col. Michael A. Tougher, III
Col. Michael E. Wegscheider
Col. Brian F. Wertzler
Col. Richard A. Wholey
Col. Richard D. Wilson
Col. John J. Wojcik
Col. James A. Zollar
Executive Calendar #275 – The following to be Brigadier General:
Col. Bradley J. Cox
Col. Carl C. Danberg
Col. Daniel H. Dent
Col. Ralph R. Robovsky
Col. Adam C. Volant
Executive Calendar #276 – The following to be Brigadier General:
Col. Andrew C. Diefenthaler
Col. James M. Jones
NAVY
Executive Calendar #277 – Rear Adm. Sean S. Buck to be Vice Admiral
MARINE CORPS
Executive Calendar #278 – Lt. Gen. John J. Broadmeadow to be Lieutenant General
Executive Calendar #279 – Lt. Gen. Brian D. Beaudreault to be Lieutenant General
Executive Calendar #280 – Lt. Gen. George W. Smith, Jr to be Lieutenant General
Executive Calendar #281 – Lt. Gen. Robert F. Hedelund to be Lieutenant General
ARMY
Executive Calendar #282 – The following to be Major General:
Brig. Gen. Rodney L. Faulk
Brig. Gen. Deborah L. Kotulich
Brig. Gen. Frederick R. Maiocco
Brig. Gen. Gregory J. Mosser
Brig. Gen. John H. Phillips
Brig. Gen. Joe D. Robinson
Brig. Gen. Alberto C. Rosende
Brig. Gen. Richard C. Staats, Jr.
Brig. Gen. Kevin C. Wulfhorst
The following to be Brigadier General:
Col. Timothy E. Brennan
Col. Cary J. Cowan, Jr.
Col. Christopher J. Dziubek
Col. Jeffrey M. Farris
Col. Robert E. Guidry
Col. Michelle A. Link
Col. Laurence S. Linton
Col. Pamela L. McGaha
Col. Steven B. McLaughlin
Col. Joseph A. Papenfus
Col. Joseph A. Ricciardi
Col. Patricia R. Wallace
Col. David P. Warshaw
Col. Stuart E. Werner
Col. Wanda N. Williams
AIR FORCE
Executive Calendar #283 – Maj. Gen. David S. Nahom to be to be Lieutenant General
Executive Calendar #284 – Lt. Gen. Marshall B. Webb to be Lieutenant General
ARMY
Executive Calendar #285 – The following to be Brigadier General:
Col. Jack M. Davis
Col. Paula C. Lodi
Col. Mark W. Thompson
Executive Calendar #286 – Brig. Gen. Jeffery D. Broadwater to be Major General
And all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Executive Calendar #226 – Michael G. Bailey, of Arizona, to be United States Attorney for the District of Arizona for the term of four years
Executive Calendar #227 – Brent R. Bunn, of Idaho, to be United States Marshal for the District of Idaho for the term of four years
Executive Calendar #228 – Eric S. Gartner, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for the term of four years
Executive Calendar #235 – Timothy J. Downing, of Oklahoma, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma for the term of four years
Executive Calendar #236 – William Travis Brown, Jr., of Louisiana, to be United States Marshal for the Middle District of Louisiana for the term of four years
Executive Calendar #237 – Michael Blaine East, of North Carolina, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of North Carolina for the term of four years
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Executive Calendar #112 – William Bookless, of California, to be Principal Deputy Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration
Executive Calendar #124 – Christopher Fall, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Science, Department of Energy
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Executive Calendar #187 – John Barsa, of Florida, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development
Executive Calendar #215 – Richard C. Parker, of North Carolina, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Executive Calendar #177 – Michael J. Fitzpatrick, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Ecuador.
Executive Calendar #220 – Kate Marie Byrnes, of Florida, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of North Macedonia.
Executive Calendar #289 – Bridget A. Brink, of Michigan, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Slovak Republic.
Executive Calendar #290 – John Jefferson Daigle, of Louisiana, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Cabo Verde.
Executive Calendar #291 – Matthew S. Klimow, of New York, a Career Member of the Senior Executive Service, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Turkmenistan.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Executive Calendar #179 – Jeffrey Ross Gunter, of California, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Iceland.
Executive Calendar #218 – James S. Gilmore, of Virginia, to be U.S. Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, with the rank of Ambassador
And all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Foreign Service.
4:48 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about the supplemental appropriations bill.
4:37 p.m. The supplemental appropriations bill passed by a vote of 85-8. Senators voting no: Blackburn, Braun, Crapo, Lee, McSally, Paul, Risch, and Romney. Not voting: Alexander, Capito, Durbin, Enzi, Moran, Rounds and Toomey.
4:15 p.m. Roll call vote began on passage of the supplemental appropriations.
4:15 p.m. The Senate agreed to waive the budget act, 84-9. Senators voting no: 9 Republicans: Barrasso, Blackburn, Braun, Crapo, Lee, McSally, Paul, Risch and Romney.
3:45 p.m. ML McConnell moves to HR 2157, the Supplemental Appropriations bill and the Shelby-Leahy substitute be agreed to, Senator Cornyn moves to waive the budget act. Roll call vote begins.
3:21 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke on the Congressional agenda and the robocall bill.
3:11 p.m. Senator Collins spoke on the recently passed robocall bill.
3:09 p.m. Senator Brown spoke on tax policy.
2:55 p.m. Senator Kaine paid tribute to his retiring legislative director Mary Naylor.
2:24 p.m. Senator Braun spoke about the upcoming Indianapolis 500 and the festivities surrounding it.
2:03 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke on the arctic.
1:58 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke on the possible pardons of military service members convicted of war crimes.
1:42 p.m. Senators Collins and Smith spoke on legislation combating tick borne diseases.
1:19 p.m. Senators Cornyn and Blumenthal spoke about Memorial Day.
1:18 p.m. The Senate passed S. 151 by a vote of 97-1. Senator Inhofe and Rounds did not vote.
12:45 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.151, the TRACED Act (re: Robocalls).
12:39 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about the robocall bill.
12:29 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about the robocall bill.
12:23 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke about the robocall bill.
12:07 p.m. Senator Cortez-Masto spoke about immigration and deportation.
12:02 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about NDAA and memorial day.
12:00 p.m. The Senate reconvened and resumed executive session.
10:56 a.m. The Senate stands in recess until 12:00 p.m.
10:48 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke about disaster relief.
10:41 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about Iran.
10:34 a.m. The Senate will vote at 12:45 p.m. today on S. 151, the TRACED Act (robocalls).
10:30 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about abortion.
10:18 a.m. Senator Kaine spoke about abortion.
10:13 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on health care.
10:01 a.m. DL Schumer spoke about the Disaster Aid legislation.
9:38 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about Memorial Day. He spoke about Iran. He said the Senate will not adjourn this week until the Senate votes on the disaster aid supplemental. He spoke about the McConnell-Kaine bill to raise the minimum legal age for tobacco sales.
*****
The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m.
Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume Executive Session. Discussions continue on supplemental/disaster appropriations.
Roll call votes are expected during Today’s session.