6:34 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

6:31 p.m. Senator Hyde Smith wrapped up for the evening.

• S. 2258, providing anti retaliation protections for antitrust whistle blowers had its first reading.
• S. Res 283, supporting 2019 as the international year of the periodic table was passed by UC.
• At 1:45 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination of Mark Milley to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

6:22 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke on election interference and asked UC to take up and pass S.890; Senator Hyde Smith objected.

6:16 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on election interference and asked UC to take up and pass S.1247, Senator Hyde Smith objected.

6:10 p.m. Senator Warner spoke on Russian interference in our elections; and asked UC to take up and pass S.1562 regarding election interference.  Senator Hyde Smith objected.

6:10 p.m. The Senate received the veto messages with respect to SJ Res 36, SJ Res 37, and SJ Res 38.

5:19 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on border security.

5:18 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell achieved UC that the a time to be determined before August 2nd, the Senate take up the veto messages to the joint resolutions on SJ Res 36, 37 and 38 with a two hour time agreement before voting on the resolutions.  Further, that a previous UC agreement for 30 hours of concurrent debate on the remaining resolutions remain in effect.

4:35 p.m. Senator Markey praised Senator Whitehouse on his climate change series.

4:17 p.m. Senator Whitehouse gave his 250th climate change floor speech.

4:06 p.m. Senators Merkley and Schatz recognized Senator Whitehouse on his 250th climate change floor speech.

4:05 p.m. Senator Hoeven moved the Senate into a period of morning business.

4:05 p.m The Buescher nomination was confirmed on a party line vote of 51-40.

Senators not voting: 6 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Capito and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders

3:35 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Brian Buescher to be United States District Judge of Nebraska.

3:34 p.m. The nomination of Wendy Berger to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida was confirmed by a vote of 54-37.  Senators Jones, Manchin and Sinema joined in favor.

Senators not voting: 6 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 2 Republicans: Capito and Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders

3:00 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the Berger nomination.

2:16 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke supporting the Buescher nomination.

2:05 p.m. Senator Perdue spoke about on the federal budget.

1:55 p.m. Senator Sasse spoke supporting the Buescher nomination.

1:36 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about healthcare.

1:35 p.m. S. 2249, A Bill to Allow the Deputy Administrator of the FAA on the Date of Enactment of This Act to Continue to Serve as the Deputy Administrator, was agreed to by unanimous consent.

1:11 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the EB5 program.

12:55 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about the Americans with Disabilities Act.

12:48 p.m. Senator Casey spoke about the Americans With Disabilities Act, immigration, and Robert Mueller.

12:31 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the budget deal, the opioid epidemic, border patrol and trade.

12:30 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Buescher nomination on a party line vote of 52-39.

Senators not voting: 7 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, Klobuchar, Warren and Whitehouse; 1 Republican: Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders

12:00 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Brian Buescher to be United States District Judge of Nebraska.

11:59 a.m. Cloture was invoked on the Berger nomination, 55-37; with Democrats Jones, Manchin and Sinema joining Republicans in favor.

Senators not voting: 6 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 1 Republican: Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders

11:37 a.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Wendy Berger to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Florida.

11:36 a.m. The Dickson nomination was confirmed on a party line vote of 52-40.

Senators not voting: 6 Democrats: Bennet, Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, Klobuchar and Warren; 1 Republican: Isakson; 1 Independent: Sanders

10:59 a.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of Stephen Dickson to be administrator of FAA.

10:13 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on the 9/11 bill and the Mueller report and testimony today.

9:51 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on tax reform and later paid tribute to departing staffer Lynn Churchman.

9:36 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke on the budget agreement, the pending nominations, the fight against opioid abuse, and the vote in the House yesterday regarding Israel.

9:33 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the US=Mexico-Trade agreement.

9:30 a.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Stephen Dickson to be administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

At 11:00 a.m., the Senate will proceed to three roll call votes:

• Confirmation of the nomination of Stephen Dickson to be administrator of the FAA
• Cloture on the nomination of Wendy Berger to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida
• Cloture on the nomination Brian Buescher to be United States District Judge of Nebraska

At 3:00 p.m. if cloture is invoked, the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes:

• Confirmation of the Berger nomination
• Confirmation of the Buescher nomination