Wednesday, May 23, 2018

6:22 p.m. Senator Cardin gave tribute to Maryland law officers.

6:20 p.m. Senator McConnell conducted wrap up.

5:28 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about patient centered care.

4:49 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about the Trump administration.

4:43 p.m. Senator Crapo spoke in favor of the Jelena Williams nomination.

4:42 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the nomination of Jelena Williams to be a member of the FDIC, 73-23.

Senators voting in favor: 49 Republicans, 23 Democrats: Bennet, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Coons, Donnelly, Hassan, Heitkamp, Jones, Kaine, Klobuchar, Leahy, Manchin, McCaskill, Menendez, Murphy, Nelson, Peters, Reed, Shaheen, Tester, Van Hollen and Warner. 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 23 Democrats.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Flake and McCain, 1 Democrat: Duckworth, 1 Independent: Sanders.

4:26 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Jelena Williams to be a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

4:25 p.m. By a tally of 72-25, cloture was invoked on the Williams nomination to be Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Senators voting in favor: 49 Republicans, 22 Democrats: Bennet, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Coons, Donnelly, Hassan, Heitkamp, Jones, Kaine, Klobuchar, Leahy, Manchin, McCaskill, Menendez, Murphy, Nelson, Peters, Reed, Tester, Van Hollen and Warner. 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 24 Democrats, 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: 2 Republicans: Flake and McCain, 1 Democrat: Duckworth.

4:09 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the nomination of Jelena Williams to be Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation  (FDIC).

4:08 p.m. The motion to concur re: S. 2372 was agreed to 92-5.

Senators voting against: 2 Republicans: Corker and Rounds, 2 Democrats: Merkley and Schatz, I Rounds, Sanders and Schatz.

Senators not voting: Duckworth, Flake and McCain.

3:50 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to concur with respect to S.2372, the VA Choice Act.

3:49 p.m. Senate confirms Brian Montgomery to be an Asst Sec of HUD 74-23.

Senators voting in favor: 49 Republicans, 24 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.

Senators voting against: 22 Democrats: Blumenthal, Brown, Cantwell, Casey, Cortez Masto, Durbin, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Harris, Heinrich, Hirono, Markey, Merkley, Murray, Reed, SSchumer, Shaheen, Stabenow, Udall, Warren, Whitehouse and Wyden; 1 Independent: Sanders.

Senators not voting: Duckworth, Flake and McCain.

3:15 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Brian Montgomery to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing And Urban Development.

3:09 p.m. Senators Isakson and Tester wrapped up debate on the VA Choice Act.

3:00 p.m. Senator Crapo spoke on the Montgomery nomination.

2:41 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about Memorial Day and the VA Choice Act.

2:34 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about a recently passed water infrastructure bill.

1:41 p.m. Senators Isakson, Hoeven, Blunt, Boozman, Lankford and Enzi  spoke about the VA Choice Act.

1:23 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about Russian interference in the 2016 election.

1:02 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke about anti-trust law.

12:53 p.m. Senator Brown spoke against the Montgomery nomination.

12:28 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about the trade imbalance with China.

11:58 a.m. Senator Carper spoke about the Mueller investigation.

11:42 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about Chinese investment in the U.S.

11:15 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the anti-harrassment measures. He spoke about the Mueller investigation.

11:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about measures to prevent workplace harassment and about the veterans health bill. He spoke about the Montgomery and McWilliams nominations. He spoke about the bill to revise financial regulations.

The Senate meets on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Following Leader remarks, under a previous order, the Senate will consider Exec. Cal. #593 the nomination of Brian Montgomery to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Following disposition of the Montgomery nomination, the Senate will resume consideration of the House message on S. 2372, VA Choice Act. At 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday the Senate will have up to 5 votes:

1. Confirmation of Cal. #593 Brian Montgomery to be an Assistant Secretary of HUD.
2. Motion to waive to the Budget Act with respect to S.2372, Veterans Choice (if a point of order is raised)
3. Motion to concur in the House amendment to S.2372, Veterans Choice (passage)
4. Motion to invoke cloture on Exec. Cal. #670 Jelena McWilliams to be Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of five years
5. Motion to invoke cloture on Exec. Cal. #672 Jelena McWilliams to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of six years
*If cloture is invoked on the McWilliams nominations, the post-cloture time will run concurrently.