Tuesday, April 25, 2017

The Senate adjourned at 5:44 p.m., and will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday April 26, 2017.

5:41 p.m. Senator Thune wrapped up the Senate session for the day.  The following were passed by unanimous consent:

S.Res.105 – Centennial of the 41st Division

S.Res.122 – 911 Education Month

S.Res.128 – CDH Awareness Month

S.Res.129 – Second Chance Month

S.Res.130 – U.S. Entry into WWI

S.Res.131 – National Crime Victims’ Rights

S.Res.133 – Congratulating UNC Men’s Basketball

S.Res.140 – Parkinson’s Awareness Month

S.Res.141 – Congratulating USC Women’s Basketball

S.Res.142 – Virginia Tech Tragedy 10 Year Anniversary

5:29 p.m. The Senate began consideration of the nomination of Alex Acosta to be Secretary of Labor.

5:28 p.m. The Rosenstein nomination was confirmed 94-6.

Senators voting in favor: 52 Republicans, 41 Democrats, 2 Independents: King and Sanders.

Senators voting against: 6 Democrats: Blumenthal, Booker, Cortez Masto, Gillibrand, Harris and Warren.

5:00 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of Rod Rosenstein to be Deputy Attorney General.

4:14 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about Russian interference and also about the Rosenstein nomination.

4:03 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke about Senator Kennedy’s maiden speech and the future of their work together.

3:50 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about Dodd-Frank and community banks.

3:25 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke in favor of the Rosenstein nomination.

3:15 p.m. Leader McConnell paid tribute to his departing Chief of Staff.

3:00 p.m. Senator Thune spoke on the importance of the American worker. The Senate set up a 5:00 p.m.  roll call vote on  the nomination of Rod Rosenstein, of MD, to be the Deputy Attorney General.

2:53 p.m. Senator Durbin praised Senator Duckworth for her speech.

2:31 p.m. Senator Duckworth spoke about her priorities as a new Senator.

2:25 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about immigration, particularly from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala; and the Trump administration proposal for a wall.

2:17 p.m. Senator Fischer paid tribute to William Bailey of Bellevue Nebraska, who was killed in Iraq in May of 2007.

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

12:3o p.m.  The Senate recessed until 2:15 p.m., to accommodate the weekly caucus luncheons.

12:15 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke in support of the Rosenstein nomination.

11:50 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the record of the new Congress and the Trump administration.

11:42 a.m. Senator Peters spoke on Michigan farmers.

11:10 a.m. Senator Cantwell spoke about the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah.

10:18 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the government funding legislation and President Trump’s first 100 days.

10:06 a.m. Senator Durbin echoed the comments of ML McConnell about the Holocaust and Days of Remembrance. Senator Durbin spoke about the Rosenstein nomination.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about advancing the Rosenstein and Acosta nominations, funding the government, and recognized the Holocaust and the Days of Remembrance ceremonies.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Rod Rosenstein, post-cloture.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15 pm.

Cloture has been filed on the nomination of Alex Acosta to be Secretary of Labor.