6:55 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m.

6:20 p.m. Senator Brown spoke in favor of the Constitutional Amendment.

6:05 p.m.  Senator Roberts spoke against the Constitutional Amendment.

5:45 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke in favor of the Constitutional Amendment.

5:40 p.m. Senator Walsh spoke in favor of the Constitutional Amendment.

5:30 p.m. Senator Udall spoke in favor of the Constitutional Amendment.

5:20 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke in favor of the Constitutional Amendment.

4:33 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke against the Constitutional Amendment.

4:20 p.m. Senator Reed spoke in favor of the Constitutional Amendment.

4:01 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke on ISIS and the Constitutional Amendment.

3:49 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke on ISIS.

3:15 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on ISIS and commodity in the Senate and Congress.  He also spoke on Burger King and inversion.

2:50 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on bills passed by the House and not brought up in the Senate, before turning to discussion of foreign policy in Iraq and Ukraine.

2:29 p.m. Senators Murray and Stabenow spoke on equal pay and minimum wage legislation.

2:15 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke against the Constitutional Amendment.

12:55 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 2:15 p.m. for policy luncheons.

12:40 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke for the constitutional amendment.

12:12 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke against the consitutional amendment.

12:01 p.m. Senator Franken spoke for the constitutional amendment on campaign finance

11:46 a.m. Senator Thune spoke against the proposed constitutional amendment, S J Res 19.

11:31 a.m. Senator Coats spoke about the danger of ISIS or IS.

11:30 a.m. The Senate turned to the Motion to Proceed to S J Res 19 — proposing an amendment to the U.S. constitution relating to contributions intended to affect elections.  The Senate invoked cloture on this motion to proceed last night.

11:03 a.m. Senators Klobuchar, Cantwell and Graham spoke in favor of reauthorizing the Ex-Im Bank.

10:55 a.m. Senator Cardin spoke on the costs of college.

10:46 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the Affordable Care Act.

10:30 a.m. Senator Lee spoke on the campaign finance amendment.

10:15 a.m. ML Reid responds to RL McConnell comments on campaign finance amendment.

10:09 a.m. RL McConnell spoke on ISIS and the campaign finance amendment.

10:02 a.m. ML Reid laid out the days schedule, and discussed the pending campaign finance Constitutional amendment.

The Senate convened at 10:00 am and is currently in morning business.  At approximately 11:00 am, the Senate will turn to S.J. Res 19, post cloture.  When the Senate recesses for lunch between 12:30 and 2:15, the cloture clock will continue.

7:26 The Senate adjourned until 10:00 am Tuesday September 9, 2014.

7:25 Senator Reid asked that S.J. Res 39 be postponed indefinitely, by unanimous consent.

6:50 p.m. Cloture invoked 79-18.

6:31 p.m. Roll call vote begins on cloture on the motion to proceed.

6:27 p.m. Cohen and Chen nominations confirmed by voice vote.

6:26 p.m. Aaron nomination confirmed 54-43.

6:10 p.m. Roll call vote begins on Aaron nomination.

6:08 p.m. Pryor nomination confirmed 97-0.

5:30 p.m. Roll call vote begins on Pryor nomination.

5:21 p.m. Senator Chambliss spoke on the nomination of Jill Pryor.

5:17 p.m Senator Grassley spoke on the campaign finance amendment.

5:07 p.m. Senator Iskason spoke on the nomination of Jill Pryor.

5:03 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke on ISIS.

4:45 p.m. Senator Roberts spoke on the campaign finance amendment.

4:35 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about introducing legislation to attack ISIS.

4:30 p.m. Senator Isakson paid tribute to Chick Fil-A founder after his death today.

4:21 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on the campaign finance amendment.

4:05 p.m. Senator Tom Udall spoke on the campaign finance amendment.

3:52 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the campaign finance amendment.

3:34 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the campaign finance amendment to the constitution.

3 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about the Islamic State.

2:55 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke on the nominees for the Social Security Advisory Board.

2:35 p.m. Senator Sessions spoke on immigration.

2:32 p.m. The Senate convened at 2:00 p.m.

H.R. 5230 (Supplemental Appropriations for FY14) and H.R. 5272 (Prohibit Certain Acts with Respect to Deferred Action for Aliens Not Lawfully Present in US) were read a 2nd time.

Senators Reid and Leahy spoke on campaign finance.

The Senate will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. and will be in a period of morning business until 5:30 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., proceed to Executive Session and conduct votes on the following nominations:

Confirmation of the nomination of Jill Pryor of Georgia to the U.S. Circuit Court for the 11th Circuit.

Votes are then expected on these four confirmations:

§  Henry J. Aaron to be a Member of the Social Security Advisory Board (for a term ending in September, 2014). A roll call vote is expected.

§ Henry J. Aaron to be a Member of the Social Security Advisory Board (for a term ending in 2020). A voice vote is expected.

§ Alan L. Cohen to be a Member of the Social Security Advisory Board. A voice vote is expected.

§  Lanhee J. Chen to be a Member of the Social Security Advisory Board. A voice vote is expected.

A roll call vote is then expected on whether to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res. 19, a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution on campaign finance.

9:19 a.m. The Senate has convened in pro forma session, Senator Coons presiding.

The Senate now stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2014.

The first roll call vote on September 8 will occur at 5:30 p.m. 

* * *

The Senate will convene at 9:15 a.m. for a pro forma session only. There will be no votes.

Following that, the Senate will next convene at 2:00 p.m. on September 8, 2014. 

The Senate convened at 11:00 a.m.

Senator Coons called up H.Con. Res. 112, providing for the conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives and the conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate.  It was agreed to by unanimous consent.

The Senate remained in morning business.

The Senate will meet in pro forma session at 9:15 am on Friday August 8, 2014.

Following that, the Senate will next meet at 2:00 p.m. on September 8, 2014.

2:56 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5th.  There will be no votes druing Tuesday’s session.  The next votes will occur on Monday, September 8th at 5:30 p.m. on the nomination of Jill Pryor, GA, to be US Circuit Judge for 11th Circuit.

Senate passed the following in wrap up:

Passed En Bloc:

H.R. 606 would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 815 County Road 23 in Tyrone, New York, as the “Specialist Christopher Scott Post Office Building”.

H.R. 1671 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 815 County Road 23 in Tyrone, New York, as the “Specialist Christopher Scott Post Office Building.”

HR 2291 would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 450 Lexington Avenue in New York, New York, as the “Vincent R. Sombrotto Post Office”.

H.R. 3472 would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13127 Broadway Street in Alden, New York, as the “Sergeant Brett E. Gornewicz Memorial Post Office”.

H.R. 3765 would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 198 Baker Street in Corning, New York, as the “Specialist Ryan P. Jayne Post Office Building”.

**

Passed H.R.4386, Money Remittances

Passed H.R.5195, Afghan Special Immigrant Visas

Adopted S.Res.536, National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Completed the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.2772, Supplemental Appropriations for FY2014 (Flake)

Completed the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.2773, Supplemental Appropriations for FY2014 (Cornyn-Grassley-McConnell)

12:25 p.m. Senator Chambliss paid tribute to Matt Olsen, outgoing director of the National Terrorism Center.

11:21 a.m. The Senate passed H.J. Res 76, the Reid, McConnell, Mikulski emergency substitute appropriating Iron Dome funds.

The Iron Dome unanimous consent request was put forth by Sen. Reid at 11:11.  Senators McConnell, McCain and Graham spoke in favor of it.

11:04 a.m. Senator Reid asked for a second reading on two supplemental appropriations bills and they were placed on the calendar.
S 2772 Supplemental appropriations through September 30, 2014
S2773 Supplemental appropriations through September 30, 2014, including funds for border security, law enforcement, humanitarian assistance and other purposes.

11:03 a.m. The Senate proceeded to S.J. Res 417, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United Stated relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections.

The Senate convened at 11 a.m.

No votes are scheduled until September 8, 2014.

11:17 p.m. The Senate approved a series of resolutions by voice vote and then adjourned until 11 a.m. Aug. 1. There will be no votes until Monday, Sept. 8, 2014.

11 p.m. The Senate confirmed by voice vote the nomination of John Tefft as ambassador to Russia. The Senate also confirmed by voice vote the nomination of Laura Junor to be principal deputy under secretary of defense.

9:45 p.m. Senator Enzi objected to unanimous consent requests by Senator Menendez to confirm a number of ambassadorial nominati0ns, including John Tefft to Russia.

9:22 p.m. On a vote of 58 to 33, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Jill Pryor to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court.

*** 9: 25 p.m. On a vote of  58 to 33,  the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Jill Pryor of Georgia to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court.

*** 9:05 p.m. On a vote of 81 to 13, the Senate has passed the highway bill,  H.R. 5021.

***   8:45 p.m. On a vote of 91 to 3, the Senate passed the veterans bill, H.R. 3230.

*** 8:25 p.m. On a vote of 86 to 8, the Senate waived a budget point of order on the veterans bill.

*** 7:45  p.m. On a vote of 50 to 44, the Senate failed to waive the budget point of order on S. 2648. The supplemental appropriation therefore failed.

*** 7:20 p.m. : On a vote of 43 to 52, the Senate did not agree to table Amendment #3751 to S.2648, the supplemental spending bill for border enforcement and other uses.

5:47 p.m. Senator Reid filled the amendment tree on the supplemental appropriation (S. 2648), filed cloture on the bill and secured agreement for the following series of votes, beginning at about 6:45 p.m.

On the supplemental (including money to address the border crisis):

– McConnell motion to table Reid amendment #3751 (date change);

– Mikulski motion to waive budget point of order;

–  If the motion to waive is agreed to, cloture on S.2648;

–  If cloture is invoked, on passage of S.2648

On the conference report for the veterans bill:

– Sanders motion to waive budget point of order

– Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.3230, the veterans bill

On highway spending:

 – Wyden, or designee, motion to waive budget point of order;

– Motion to recede from the earlier Senate amendment to H.R.5021. (This is essentially passage of the highway spending bill.)

There may also be a cloture vote on the Jill Pryor nomination to be U..S. Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit.

4:35 p.m. Senator Corker objected. There ensued an exchange among Senators Boxer, Corker and Menendez about the failure to secure consent for consideration of the Israeli aid bill.

4:25 p.m. Senator Boxer sought unanimous consent for an Israeli aid bill. Senator Blunt, the co-sponsor of the bill, spoke for the agreement.

4:15 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke about the VA conference committee report.

3:55 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the border situation.

3:45 p.m. Senator Moran spoke about the VA.

3:23 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke on internet tax and asked unanimous consent to proceed to S.2735 (2 month extension of Internet Tax Freedom Act), Ayotte objected.

3:15 p.m. Senator Ayotte spoke on internet tax.

3:06 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke on an internet tax. Asked unanimous consent to proceed to H.R. 3086

(internet tax) and Heitkamp objected.

2:55 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke on S. 2648.

2:36 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke on Senate procedure.

2:31 p.m. Senator Sessions spoke on the VA Bill.

2:10 – Murphy spoke on Affordable  Care Act. (Barrasso) 2:25 p.m.

1:57 p.m. Coburn spoke on unanimous  consent agreements.

1:17 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke on the Affordable Care Act.

1:00 p.m. Senator Vitter spoke on the border crisis.

12:22 p.m. Senator Reed spoke about restoring emergency unemployment benefits.

12:07 -12:19  p.m. Senators Booker and Heller spoke about veterans and the compromise proposal to reform the VA.

11:01 a.m. The Senate turned to S 2648, the Emergency Supplemental post cloture.  Senators Leahy, Cardin, Mikulski and Wyden spoke in support of the bill.

10:28 a.m. Senator Sessions spoke about immigration.

9:50 a.m. Senators Fischer and King spoke in a colloquy about their proposed tax credit to finance paid leave for workers.

9:44 a.m. Minority Leader McConnell spoke about the border crisis.

9:32 a.m. Majority Leader Reid ordered second reading of the Export-Import Bank reauthorization (S.2709). Senator Reid also spoke about the schedule for September and criticized House Republicans.

***

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. and after leaders’ remarks will resume post-cloture debate on the motion to proceed to S. 2648.

This is the supplemental appropriation that includes money to alleviate the border crisis.  If all post-cloture time is used, debate on the motion to proceed would conclude between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled.

7:25 p.m. – The Senate Adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Thursday July 31st and will resume consideration on the motion to proceed to S. 2648 – Supplemental Appropriations (post cloture).  No votes have been scheduled.

4:02 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about wildfires.

3:09 p.m. -3:47 p.m.  Senators Barrasso, Boozman, Blunt, Johanns and Coats spoke on the Affordable Care Act.

2:33 p.m. Senator Harkin urged the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

2:10 p.m. Senator Mikulski spoke on the Emergency Supplemental bill.

2:01 p.m Senator Kaine spoke on Medicare on the bills 49th anniversary.

1:48 p.m Senator Inhofe spoke on the situation in Israel.

1:40 p.m. Senator Warren spoke about the “Stop Corporate Inversions Act.”

1:00 p.m. Senator Franken spoke about the USA Freedom Act.

12:37 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about Africa the delegation coming to the U.S.

12:30 p.m. Senator Thune spoke on the leadership of President Obama and his administration.

12:20 p.m. Senator Udall of Colorado spoke on the Wildfire Prevention Act and the Emergency Supplemental.

12:08 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke on the Emergency Supplemental  Appropriations Act and the US- Israel Strategic Partnership Act.

11:49 a.m Senator Mikulski spoke on the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act.

11:47 a.m. The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice vote:

• Cynthia H. Akuetteh to be Ambassador to the Gabonese Republic and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Principe.
• Erika Lizabeth Moritsugu to be Assistant Secretary  of Housing and Urban Development.
• Richard A. Kennedy to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

11:44 a.m.   On a vote of 63 to 33, the Senate invoked cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2648, the emergency supplemental appropriation (including money to address the border crisis).

11:15 a.m. On a vote of 54 to 42, the Senate failed to invoke cloture on S. 2569, the Bring Home Jobs bill.

10:45 a.m. Senator Walsh spoke for the Bring Jobs Home bill.

10:39 a.m. Senator Stabenow spoke in favor of the Bring Jobs Home bill.

10:37 a.m. Senator Sessions spoke on the prospect of executive action on immigration.

10:29 a.m. Senator Coons spoke on his African Growth Opportunity Act.

10:30 a.m. After a voice vote to proceed of the nomination of Jill A. Pryor of Georgia to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court, the majority leader filed cloture on confirmation.

10:20 a.m. Senator Pryor spoke on Medicare.

9:59 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the border crisis.

9:44 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the “Bring Jobs Home” bill.

9:39 a.m. RL McConnelll spoke on regulations of the coal industry.

9:32 a.m.  ML Reid laid out the schedule, and spoke on the “Bring Jobs Home” bill. S. 2685 has its second reading.

The Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and is debating on S. 2569, the “Bring Jobs Home” bill.

At approximately 10:45 a.m., there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S. 2569.

If cloture is invoked on S. 2569, there will be up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate on the motion.

If cloture is not invoked on S. 2569, the Senate will immediately proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2014 (S. 2648). This bill includes money to address the border immigration crisis.

Following the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S. 2648, voice votes are expected on confirmation of these nominations:

* Cynthia H. Akuetteh, ambassador to Gabon and to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe.

* Erika Lizabeth Moritsugu to be an assistant secretary of Housing and Urban Development;

* Richard A. Kennedy to the board of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

8:51 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, July 30th. At 10:45 a.m. there will be a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S. 2568. If cloture is not invoked there will be a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2648.

During wrap-up the following legislation was passed without objection:

• S. 2577 Requiring the Secretary of State to Offer Rewards Totalling Up to $5 Million for Information on the Kidnapping and Murder of Naftali  Franco, a Dual US-Israeli Citizen
• H. Con. Res. 103 – Use of Capitol Grounds for DC Special Olympics  Law Enforcement Torch Run
• H. Con. Res. 106 – Use of Emancipation Hall in the Visitor’s Center
• S. Res. 527 -Congratulating Member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
• S. Res. 528 – Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of North Dakota’s Statehood
• S. Res. 521 – Designating July 26th, 2014 as U.S. Intelligence  Professionals Day
• H.R. 4028 – To Amend the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998

S. 2685  had its first reading (To Inform Authorities of Federal Government to Require Production of Certain Business Records)

***

8:05 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the misstreatment of David Chung by the DEA and freedom of speech.

7:47 p.m. Senator Carper spoke on the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill and immigration.

7:31 p.m. Senator Merkely spoke on medicare and Senators Flake and Heller spoke on the Patriot Act.

7:19 p.m. S. Res. 526 (Israel’s Right to Defend Itself Against Hamas) passed without objection. Senator Reid the spoke on the resolution.

7:17 p.m. H. Con. Res. 108 (Concurrent Resolution Providing for the Correction of the Enrollment of H.R. 5021) was passed without objection.

6:59 p.m. The Senate did not agree to the following amendments:

• Lee #3584 (Transportation Empowerment Act, S. 1702) by a vote of 28-69
• Toomey #3585 (exemptions for damaged roads /bridges) by a vote of 47-50

6:05 p.m. The Senate adopted the following amendments to The Highway and Transportation Funding Act:

• Wyden-Hatch #3582 (Finance Comm. Bill, sub) by a vote of 71-26
• Carper-Corker-Boxer #3583 (date change & exception of pension smoothing provisions) by a vote of 66-31

5:16 p.m. The following Senators spoke on The Highway and Transportation Funding Act: Boxer, Murphy, Carper, King, Flake, and Wyden.

5:15 p.m. Senator Mikulski proposed a unanimous consent  agreement to consideration of H.R. 4486, MilCon/VA Approps.  Senator Shelby offered a counter unanimous consent agreement.  Neither was agreed to.

4:30 p.m. At 3:20 Senate began consideration of H.R. 5021, The Highway and Transportation Act.  The following Senators offered Amendments and spoke on the underlying bill:

Wyden/Hatch Amend #3582 – the text of the Finance Committee reported Highway bill
Carper/Corker Amend # 3583 – date change exception of pension smoothing provisions
Toomey Amend #3585 – exemptions for damaged road and bridge reconstruction
Lee Amend #3584 – text of Transportation Empowerment Act (S. 1702).
Senator Boxer spoke in opposition of the Lee Amend #3834.

3:15 p.m. By a vote of 97-0, the  Senate confirmed the nomination of McDonald to be Secy of VA.  Confirmed on voice votes: Andre to be Ambassador of Mauritania; Hoza to be Ambassador of Cameroon and Polaschik to be Ambassador of Algeria.

12: 35 p.m.  The Senate recessed for weekly caucus luncheons until 2:15. A vote on McDonald (Secy of VA) will occur at 2:45.

12:30 p.m.. The Senate turned to the nomination of Robert McDonald as VA Secretary.  Senator Sanders, Brown, Isakson, Vitter and Moran spoke in favor of his nomination.

11:42 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Senators spoke about the USA Freedom Act, which relates to the question of what information should be gathered about Americans, and how it should be collected.  Senators Leahy, Lee and Franken spoke.

11:45 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke about the question of when and how the U.S. government should gather information about its citizens in the context of a proposed renewal of FISA.

11:28 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration, the Central American young people at the border and the emergency appropriations measure.

11:09 a.m. Senator Mikulski also spoke about her plan to bring up the VA-MilCon approps bill for a third reading, meaning not subject to amendments, sometime this week.  She touched on the McDonald nomination and the VA bill as well.

10:25 – 11:45 A series of Senators spoke about Iron Dome.  The speakers included: Senator Graham, Senator Ayotte, Senator Thune, Senator Cruz, Senator Mikulski and Senator Durbin.

10:14 a.m. Senator McConnell spoke about the Veterans bill, the nominee for the Veterans Administration, Robert McDonald and began a series of speeches about Iron Dome, a plan to defend Israel.

10:00 a.m. Senator Reid opened the Senate and made a motion to proceed to S 2648, an Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill through September 30, 2014. with provisions for the border.  Then he spoke about the Veterans bill.

The Senate convened at 10:00am and is in a period of morning business until 12:00noon.

At 12:00pm, begin consideration of the nomination of Robert Alan McDonald, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs, until 12:30, when the Senate is expected to recess for the weekly party luncheons, until 2:15pm.  When the Senate returns at 2:15pm, debate will continue on the McDonald nomination until 2:45pm, when a roll call vote on the nomination is expected.

Following this vote, proceed to expected voice votes on confirmation of the following nominations:

1. Larry Andre to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
2. Michael Hoza to be Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon.
3. Joan Polaschik, to be Ambassador to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

Following the votes, will resume Legislative Session and proceed to the consideration of H.R.5021, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act; with votes expected Tuesday evening.

The following amendments will be the only amendments in order to the bill:

• Wyden-Hatch amendment #3582, the text of which is the Finance Committee-reported bill.
• Carper-Corker-Boxer amendment #3583, which includes a date change and Finance Committee-reported financing bill, with the exception of pension smoothing provisions)
• Lee amendment #3584, the text of which is the Transportation Empowerment Act (S. 1702)
• Toomey amendment #3585, relative to exemptions for damaged road and bridge reconstruction.

• There will be one hour for debate on each of the above amendment.  Further, there will be one hour for debate on H.R. 5021.

• Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the above amendments, in the order listed, with no second-degree amendments or motions to commit being in order prior to the votes.
• Each amendment will be subject to an affirmative 60-vote threshold.

• Upon disposition of the above amendments, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on passage of H.R. 5021, as amended, if amended.  Subject to an affirmative 60-vote threshold. 

7:13 p.m. Senate adjourns until 10:00am Tuesday morning.

7:09 p.m. Majority Leader does wrap up.  UC that Senate debate the nomination of  Robert McDonald to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 12-12:30, and from 2:15 to 2:45 pm, with a vote on confirmation at 2:45pm. Followed by a likely voice vote on the nomination of Joan Polaschik to be Ambassador to Algeria.  Passes by UC: S Res 525, Whistle Blower Appreciation Day.  S. 2673 (a bill to enhance strategic partnership with Israel) and HR 3339 (tax benefits for educational expenses) have their first reading.  UC that Senate adjourn until 10:00am, Tuesday July 29th.  Morning business until 12:00noon.  Following executive session, and votes, turn to highway bill with votes on amendments and passage expected Tuesday evening.

6:35 p.m. Senators Whitehouse, Boxer and Klobuchar spoke in favor of the resolution.

6:16 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke on a resolution that climate change is real; offers UC to pass this Sense of the Senate resolution, Senator Inhofe objected and spoke against the resolution.

6:12 p.m. ML Reid “fills the tree” with respect to S.2569, the “Bring Jobs Home Act”; and files cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2648, the emergency supplemental.

6:11 p.m Senate confirms following nominations by voice vote:

Joseph Mohorovic to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Elliot F. Kaye to be a Commissioner and Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Brian P. McKeon to be a Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

6:09 p.m. Harris nomination confirmed 50-43.

5:30 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the nomination of Pamela Harris to be a US Circuit Court Judge for the 4th Circuit.

5:13 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke on the Harris nomination.

4:59 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke on the highway bill and the nature of the Senate.

4:32 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke on the nature of the Senate.

4:13 p.m. Senator spoke on the Harris nomination.

4:02 p.m. Senator Coons spoke about manufacturing jobs.

3:33 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about the need to pass a long-term highway bill.

2:49 p.m. Senator Sessions spoke about illegal immigration.

2:29 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about a China trade case.

2:03 p.m. Majority Leader Reid spoke about the schedule; the situation in Gaza; forest fires in Western states; and the border crisis.

* * *

• The Senate will convene at 2:00pm and proceed to Executive Session to resume consideration of the nomination of Pamela Harris to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, post-cloture.   At 5:30pm, all post-cloture time on the Harris nomination will be deemed expired and the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of her nomination.

• Following disposition of the Harris nomination, the Senate will proceed to voice votes in relation to the following nominations:

• Joseph P. Mohorovic to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Elliot F. Kaye to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Elliot F. Kaye to be Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Brian P. McKeon to be a Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

6:15 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 28. At 5:30 p.m. there will be up to 5 votes on nominations.

6:10 p.m. The following resolutions were agreed to by voice vote:

• S. Res. 462-Recognizing Cambodia and Laos Freedom fighters
• S. Res. 519-Designating Aug. 16 as National Airborne Day

5:45 p.m. McConnell spoke about Burma

5:15 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

5:00 p.m. Senator Harkin spoke about funding for NIH.

4:15 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about Israel and immigration.

3:54 p.m. Senator Sessions spoke about Immigration

3:40 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about Israel and Gaza

3:30 p.m. There will be NO further votes this week. Next votes will be on Monday, July 28th.  Senator Durbin spoke on Migrant crisis at the U.S. border and Senator Portman spoke on taxes.

3 p.m. Senator Baldwin spoke about the border crisis. Senator Heller spoke about the conflict in Gaza. Senator Hatch spoke about the “Bring Jobs Home” bill. Senator Durbin spoke about the border crisis.

2:21 p.m. On voice votes, the Senate confirmed these nominations:
– Lisa S. Disbrow as assistant secretary of the Air Force;
– Victor M. Mendez as deputy secretary of transportation;
– Peter M. Rogoff as transportation under secretary for policy;
– Bruce H. Andrews as deputy secretary of commerce.

2:19 p.m. On a vote of 54 to 41, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Pamela Harris to the  U.S. Circuit Court for the Fourth Circuit. (Roll call on con firmation is to occur on Monday, July 28.)

2:18 p.m. On a voice vote, the Senate passed the motion to proceed to S. 2569 (“Bring Jobs Home” bill).

1:35 p.m. Senator Vitter spoke about the effects of the immigration crisis on Louisiana.

1:26 p.m. Senator Reed spoke in favor of highway bill.

1:12 p.m. Senator Thune spoke against the “Bring Jobs Home Act.”

12:40 p.m.  Senators Murray and Cantwell discuss the wildfires in Washington.  Senator Cantwell pivoted to discuss the Export Import bank, followed by Senator Kaine on the same topic.

12:35 p.m. Majority Leader Reid gets UC agreement to confirm following nominations by voice vote after vote sequence later this afternoon:
Victor Mendez to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation; Peter Rogoff to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy; and Bruce Andrews to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce.

Further UC that at a time to be determined, after consultation with RL McConnell Senate proceed to consider following nominations:

Elliot Kaye to be member and chairman of Consumer Product Safety Commission; Joseph Mohorovic to be member of Consumer Product Safety Commission; and Brian McKeon to be Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.

11:57 a.m. Senators Cardin and Grassley spoke on the Harris nomination.

11:47 a.m. Senator Heller spoke on the “Bring Jobs Home Act.”

11:32 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about immigration.

11:25 a.m. Senator Begich, a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, spoke about the veterans legislation and the process.

11:19 a.m. Senator Sanders and Senator McCain engaged in a colloquy about how to move forward with the veterans legislation.

11:16 a.m. Senator McCain urged calm about the Veterans Affairs conference committee process.  There is a meeting scheduled at 12:00 p.m. today.

11:03 a.m. Senator Sanders, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs,  spoke about House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman’s plan to have a conference committee on a Veterans Affairs bill without consulting Senators.

10:54 a.m. Senator Tester spoke about the duty to Veterans and his frustration with politics interfering with a bill to improve services for veterans.

10:49 a.m. Senator Reid propounded a UC providing for four hours of debate and a vote on confirmation of Robert Alan McDonald as Secretary of the VA.

10:44 a.m. Senator Warner spoke about public servants.

10:24 a.m. Senator Moran spoke on the Israeli and Palestinian conflict.

9:33 a.m. Senators Reid and McConnell paid tribute to officers Chestnut and Gibson. McConnell also spoke  the EPA and the death of Kentucky Airman  Lt. Col. John Loftit.

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m.

At  1:45 p.m the Senate will conduct a voice vote on the motion to proceed to S.2569, the “Bring Jobs Home” bill . Thursday July 24, 2014.  That will be followed by a cloture vote on the nomination of Pamela Harris of Maryland to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit and a vote on confirmation of Lisa Disbrow, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force.