Tuesday, September 15, 2020

6:57 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

6:55 p.m. Senator Moran wrapped up for the evening. S. 4582 regarding daylight savings time had its first reading. H. Con Res 92 authorizing printing of a revised and updated version of “Women in Congress 1917-2006” was agreed to by UC. S Res 696 designating Sept 4 as “Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day” was agreed to by UC.

6:52 p.m. Senator Moran spoke on the agreements between Israel and Bahrain and the UAE.

6:32 p.m. Senator Jones paid tribute to Col Scott Grant on his recent retirement; and later remembered Robert Eddington who recently passed away.

6:14 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on climate change for the 271st time.

5:55 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about student athletes.

5:54 p.m. The Holcomb nomination was confirmed 83-12.

Senators voting against: 12 Democrats: Blumenthal, Booker, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Hirono, Klobuchar, Markey, Merkley, Murray, Schumer, Van Hollen, Warren, and Wyden.

Senators not voting: 3 Democrats: Coons, Harris and Heinrich; 1 Republican: Capito; 1 Independent: Sanders.

5:14 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of John Holcomb to be a judge for the central district of California.

4:33 p.m. Senators Heinrich, Manchin, Rosen, and Brown spoke about William Perry Penally, the Director of Bureau and Land Management.

4:25 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke about Hurricane Sally.

4:12 p.m. Senator Udall spoke about William Perry Penally, the Director of Bureau and Land Management.

3:55 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke about the sheriff deputies that were shot in LA and asked unanimous consent that the Senate pass S. 1508, Thin Blue Line Act. Senator Udall objected and asked unanimous consent that the Senate pass S. 2843, Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. Senator Toomey objected.

3:52 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Robinson nomination 83-13.

Voting NO: Blumenthal, Booker, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Hirono, Klobuchar, Markey, Merkley, Murray, Schatz, Schumer, Van Hollen, and Warren.

Not voting: Capito, Coons, Harris, and Sanders.

3:22 p.m. Roll call began on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Todd Wallace Robinson to be a District Judge for the Southern District of California.

3:21 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Holcomb nomination 83 – 13.

Voting NO: Blumenthal, Booker, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Hirono, Klobuchar, Markey, Merkley, Murray, Schumer, Van Hollen, Warren, and Wyden.

NOT voting: Capito, Coons, Harris and Sanders.

2:53 p.m. Roll call began on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of John Holcomb to the U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California.

2:52 p.m. The Blumenfeld nomination was confirmed 92-4.

Voting NO: Blumenthal, Gillibrand, Markey, and Warren.

NOT Voting: Capito, Coons, Harris, and Sanders.

2:15 p.m. Roll call began on confirmation of Stanley Blumenfeld to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California.

12:31 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about the pandemic.

12:08 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about filibuster rules.

11:46 a.m. Senator Thune and Senator Murkowski spoke on pandemic relief and filibuster rules.

11:46 a.m. Cloture on the Blumenfeld nomination was invoked 89-6.

Voting NO: Blumenthal, Gillibrand, Hirono, Markey, Van Hollen, and Warren.

NOT voting: Capito, Cramer, Coons, Harris and Sanders.

11:12 a.m. Roll call began on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Stanley Blumenfeld, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California.

11:11 a.m. The Scarsi nomination was confirmed 83 – 12.

Voting NO: Blumenthal, Booker, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Klobuchar, Markey, Merkley, Murray, Schatz, Schumer, Warren, and Wyden.

NOT voting: Baldwin, Capito, Coons, Harris, and Sanders.

10:35 a.m. Roll call began on confirmation of Mark C. Scarsi to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California.

10:25 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about federal relief for the coronavirus crisis. He spoke about wildfires and climate change.

10:05 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Middle East. He spoke about law enforcement and racism.

10:03 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the Middle East.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Mark C. Scarsi, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, post-cloture. At 10:30 a.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Scarsi nomination followed by a cloture vote on Stanley Blumenfeld, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings. At 2:15 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Blumenfeld nomination cloture on the Holcomb and Robinson nominations.

If cloture is invoked on the Holcomb nomination, then at 5:15 p.m. the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Holcomb nomination.