Tuesday, March 20, 2018

6:27 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 11:00am on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. Following leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R.1865, SESTA/FOSTA. The only amendments in order are Wyden amendment #2122 and Wyden amendment #2213. There will be up to 4 hours of debate concurrently on the amendments and that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will vote in relation to the amendments, with a 60 vote threshold required for adoption of each amendment. Upon disposition of the amendments, the Senate will vote on passage of the bill, as amended, if amended.

The Senate may have the 3 SESTA/FOSTA votes Wednesday afternoon. Check @Senatepress on Twitter to find out if/when those votes are scheduled.

At 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Senator Jones is scheduled to deliver his maiden speech.
6:26 p.m. ML McConnell asked u.c. to proceed to S. 899, Veterans Health Administration Leave, passed by u.c.

6:25 p.m. ML McConnell asked u.c. to proceed to S.Res. 434, Recognizing the Contributions of AmeriCorps, adopted by u.c.

6:23 p.m. The following en bloc DOJ nominations were passed by voice:

  • Cal. #735 – William M. McSwain, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for the term of four years.
  • Cal. #736 – Matthew D. Harris, of Utah, to be United States Marshal for the District of Utah for the term of four years.
  • Cal. #737 – Johnny Lee Kuhlman, of Oklahoma, to be United States Marshal for the Western District of Oklahoma for the term of four years.
  • Cal. #738 – Joseph D. McClain, of Indiana, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Indiana for the term of four years.
  • Cal. #739 – David A. Weaver, of Colorado, to be United States Marshal for the District of Colorado for the term of four years., the nominations were passed by voice

6:02 p.m. Senator Thune spoke supporting H.R. 1865, the sex trafficking prevention bill.

5:42 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

5:31 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about Wall Street’s effect on employment.

5:06 p.m. Senators Portman, Blumenthal, and McCaskill spoke supporting H.R. 1865, the sex trafficking prevention bill.

5:05 p.m. The Senate agreed to the motion to table the motion to discharge S.J.Res. 54 by a vote of 55-44. (5 Republicans voted no: Senators Collins, Daines, Lee, Moran, and Paul and 10 Democrats voted yes: Senators Coons, Cortez Masto, Donnelly, Heitkamp, Jones, Manchin, Menendez, Nelson, Reed and Whitehouse) Senator McCain did not vote.

4:34 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to table the motion to discharge S.J.Res. 54, the Yemen War Powers Resolution.

4:26 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke against the motion to table the resolution on Yemen.

4:17 p.m. Senator Corker spoke about Yemen and the importance of the committee process.

4:12 p.m. Senator Lee spoke against the motion to table the joint resolution on Yemen.

4:08 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about the joint resolution on Yemen.

4:03 p.m. Senator Coons spoke about foreign policy in the Trump Administration.

4:01 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about the European Defense Initiative.

4:00 p.m. Senator Markey spoke on President Trump’s relationship with North Korea, a possible meeting between the leaders and the lack of an Ambassador.

3:45 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on the threats America faces from Russia.

3:30 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke on the joint resolution on Yemen.

2:47 p.m. Senator Young spoke on the joint resolution on Yemen.

2:42 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke on H.R. 1865, the sex trafficking prevention bill.

2:30 p.m. Senator Reed spoke on the pending joint resolution and the situation in Yemen.

2:16 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke about juducial nominations.

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

12:39 p.m. The Senate recessed until 2:15 p.m. to accomodate the weekly caucus luncheons.

12:17 p.m. Senators Durbin and Merkley spoke in favor of the Yemen resolution.

11:53 a.m. Senators Menendez and Corker spoke against this Yemen resolution, but did express concern about the situation in Yemen.

11:29 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke supporting H.R. 1865, the sex trafficking prevention legislation and supporting the motion to table re: Yemen.

11:20 a.m. Senator Murphy spoke against engagement in Yemen.

10:51 a.m. Senator Lee spoke for the Yemen measure.

10:29 a.m. Senator Sanders spoke about Yemen and the War Powers Act.

10:13 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about Puerto Rico’s hurricane recovery. He spoke about the tax overhaul.

10:04 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell paid tribute to Paralympian Oksana Masters of Kentucky. He spoke about the bill to prevent sex-trafficking.  He spoke against the Yemen measure. He spoke about the omnibus spending bill.

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NOTE: Senator Duckworth and Representatives Gallego and Brown will hold a Pen & Pad session today at 3:30 p.m. in the Senate Press Gallery, Room S-316 of the Capitol.

TOPIC: The lawmakers, all combat veterans who have served in Iraq, will reflect on the 15th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

 The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

After leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R.1865, the sex trafficking prevention bill.

Senator Sanders or his designee will then move to discharge S.J. Res. 54, concerning the War Powers Act and Yemen. There will be up to four hours of debate. If all time is used,  a roll call vote is expected at about 4:15 p.m. on a motion to table the motion to discharge the War Powers measure..

 

The Senate will recess for the weekly caucus meetings from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m.

On Wednesday, March 21, at a time to be determined, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R.1865, the sex trafficking prevention bill. The only amendments in order are Wyden #2122 and Wyden #2213. There will be up to four hours of concurrent debate on the amendments.

When time expires or is yielded back, the Senate will vote on the amendments in the order listed, with 60 votes required for each. Upon disposition of the amendments, the Senate will vote on passage of the sex trafficking bill, as amended, if amended.