Blog

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

The Senate adjourned at the dissolution of the Joint Session.

4:32 p.m. The Senate stands in recess.

4:28 p.m. ML McConnell asked u.c. that at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 5th, the Senate proceed to Executive Session to consider Ex. Cal. 570, Andrei Iancu, to be under secretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of patent and trademark office. McConnell asked that there be 30 minutes of debate and a vote on confirmation following the debate.

  • Passed by voice vote Ex. Cal. 297, Matthew Bassett to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services.
  • Passed by voice vote S.534: Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act.
  • Passed by voice vote H.R.4708: DHS Blue Campaign.
  •  Adopted S.Res.389: commemorating the commissioning of the USS Omaha.
  •  Adopted S.Res.390: National Stalking Awareness Month.
ARMY
Executive Calendar #649 – Maj. Gen. Scott D. Berrier to be Lieutenant General
AIR FORCE
Executive Calendar #650 – Brig. Gen. Charles L. Plummer to be Major General
Executive Calendar #651 – Col. Sharon R. Bannister to be to be Brigadier General
Executive Calendar #652 – Maj. Gen. Jeffery A. Rockwell to be to be Lieutenant General
ARMY
Executive Calendar #653 – The following to be Brigadier General:
              Col. Anthony R. Hale
              Col. Garrick M. Harmon
Executive Calendar #654 – Maj. Gen. Eric J. Wesley to be Lieutenant General
Executive Calendar #655 – Maj. Gen. Theodore D. Martin to be Lieutenant General
Executive Calendar #656 – Col. Susie S. Kuilan to be Brigadier General
Executive Calendar #657 – Maj. Gen. Leslie C. Smith to be Lieutenant General
NAVY
Executive Calendar #658 – Rear Adm. (lh) Johnny R. Wolfe, Jr. to be Vice Admiral
Executive Calendar #659 – Capt. John C. Ring to be Rear Admiral (lower half)
Executive Calendar #660 – Rear Adm. (lh) Scott D. Conn to be Rear Admiral
3:54 p.m Senator Blumenthal spoke about the Mueller investigation.

3:45 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about the Mueller investigation.

3:26 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the State of the Union.

3:05 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about the opioid epidemic.

2:44 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about infrastructure investment.

2:40 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Stras nomination by a vote of 56-42. Senator Capito and McCain did not vote. 7 Democrats voted YES (Senators Donnelly Heitkamp Jones Klobuchar Manchin McCaskill Warner).

2:15 p.m. The Senate reconvened and began voting on confirmation of David Stras to be a judge on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

12:30 p.m. The Senate recessed until 2:15 p.m.

12:23 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about tax reform.

12:16 p.m. Senator Shelby paid tribute to staffer William D. Duncan III.

12:07 p.m. Senator Toomey paid tribute to Deputy US Marshall Christopher Hill and tax reform.

12:02 p.m. Senator Tester spoke about the budget.

11:43 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke about the budget.

11:38 a.m. Senator Flake spoke about immigration.

11:18 a.m. Senator Rubio spoke about hurricane relief.

11:05 a.m. Senator Nelson spoke about hurricane relief.

11:00 a.m. Senator Gardner paid tribute to Deputy Heath Gumm.

10:38 a.m. DL Schumer spoke on the State of the Union address.

10:32 a.m. Senator Flake spoke on the passing of a former staff member, and a leader of the Church of latter day saints.

10:03 a.m. ML McConnnell spoke on the State of the Union address.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of David Stras to be US Circuit Judge for the 8th Circuit.

The Senate will recess on Tuesday for the weekly caucus luncheons from 12:30-2:15 p.m.

At 2:15 p.m., the Senate will vote on the Stras nomination.

At 8:25 p.m. the Senate will proceed as a body to the House of Representatives for the President’s State of the Union Address.

We anticipate the Senate to NOT be in session for the remainder of the week to accommodate party retreats.