Thursday, May 23, 2019

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.