7:25 p.m. The Senate adjourned after setting up a voice vote on the motion to proceed to S.2569, the “Bring Jobs Home” bill for 1:45 p.m. 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.

7:00 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about young refugees at the U.S. border.

6:53 p.m. The Senate confirmed military promotions, en bloc, by voice vote.
The Senate passed four resolutions by voice vote: SJRes 40, making Michael Linton a citizen regent for the Smithsonian Institution, SRes 500  calling for enhanced relations with Maldova and SRes 489 supporting the goals and ideals of Growth Awareness Week, SRes 501, commemorating 20th anniversary of the Wright Museum of WWII history and three resolutions which were approved by voice vote, en bloc: SRes 514-516.

6:52 p.m. Senator Casey set up a vote on confirmation of Lisa Disbrow, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force two minutes after the cloture vote on the nomination of Pamela Harris of Maryland to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.

6:36 p.m. Senator Casey spoke about traumatic brain injury and a related bill passed out of the HELP Committee, S. 2539.

5:52 p.m. Senators Corker, Graham, Rubio and McCain spoke on Iran.

5:41 p.m.  Senator Mikulski spoke about the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill introduced today.

5:27 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke on refugees at the border.

5:16 p.m. Senator Booker spoke on human trafficking and refugees at the border.

5:05 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about child refugees at the border.

4:46 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke about refugees at the U.S. border.

4:31 p.m. Senator Heinrich spoke on human trafficking.

4:03 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke on possible banning of interstate commerce of ivory.

3:53 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke on the “Bring Jobs Home Act.”

3:36 p.m. Senator Hoeven spoke on LNG export facilities.

3:16 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke on the “Bring Jobs Home Act.”

3:05 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on VA health care. Senator Murray on jobs bill and the highway bill.

2:45 p.m. Senator Carper spoke on the 9/11 Commission report and Sen. Hatch spoke on the jobs bill.

1:05 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the President’s health care plan.

12:35 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the Humane Act and border control.

11:40 a.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about the Bring Jobs Home Act

11:35 a.m. Senator Udall spoke about the Bring Jobs Home Act.

10:34 a.m. Senator Blunt spoke on the health care rulings.

10:06 a.m  Senator Pryor spoke on the Bring Jobs Home Act.

9:52 a.m.  Senator Durbin spoke on the Bring Jobs Home Act (S. 2569).

9:46 a.m.  Senator McConnell spoke on the Democrats’ agenda and immigration.

9:33 a.m  Senator Reid spoke on corporate taxes.

***

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

Following leaders’ remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2569, the “Bring Jobs Home” bill.

At 11:00 a.m., there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2569, followed by voice votes on confirmation of three nominations:

– Julia Akins Clark, of Maryland, to be general counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority;

– Andrew H. Schapiro, of Illinois, to be ambassador to the Czech Republic;

– Madelyn R. Creedon, of Indiana, to be principal deputy administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration.

7:20 The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23rd.  At 11:00 a.m. the Senate will vote on the cloture motion to the motion to proceed to S. 2567 – Jobs bill.

7:00 p.m. Senator Durbin and Portman spoke on Taxes.  Senatore Chambliss spoke on Russia’s involvement in the downing of the Malaysian flight.

5:10 p.m. Senator Harkin spoke on disability rights

4:50 p.m. Senator Vitter spoke on Immigration issues

4:30 p.m. Senators Reed and Whitehouse spoke on the 60th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival

4:00 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke on bringing American jobs home

3:22 p.m. deGravelles nomination confirmed 100-0.

2:57 p.m. Rosenberg nomination confirmed 100-0.  Roll call vote begins on confirmation of deGravelles nomination.

2:43 p.m. Birotte nomination confirmed 100-0.  Roll call vote begins on confirmation of Rosenberg nomination.

2:15 p.m. Senate returns from recess and begins confirmation vote on the Birotte nomination.

12:34 p.m.  Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.

12:20 p.m. Senator Thune spoke on Senate Democrats priorities.

12:07 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke on climate change.

11:56 a.m. Senator Coats spoke on the airplane shot down over Ukraine.

11:55 a.m. Cloture invoked on deGravelles nomination 57-39.

11:33 a.m. Cloture invoked on Rosenberg nomination, 58-42.  Roll call vote begins on the nomination of John deGravelles to be a US District Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana.

11:14 a.m. Cloture invoked on Birotte nomination, 56-43.   Roll call vote begins on the nomination of Robin Rosenberg to be a US District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

10:45 a.m. Roll call vote began on cloture motion on nomination of Andre Birotte to be a US District Judge for the Central District of California.

10:41 a.m. Senator Warren spoke about the Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

10:35 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke about problems in crime labs.

10:24 a.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the HELP Committee’s work and about human rights in Venezuela.

10:19 a.m. Senator Murray spoke about the highway program.

10:11 a.m. Minority Leader McConnell spoke about bipartisan legislation and about the late Senator Jeremiah Denton.

10:04 a.m. Majority Leader Reid spoke about the day’s schedule and the proposed bill to return businesses to the U.S. (S. 2569).

***

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

The Senate is scheduled to conduct three cloture votes at 10:45 a.m.  The first vote will be on Andre Birotte Jr, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California.  The second vote will be on Robin L. Rosenberg, of Florida, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.  The third vote will be on John W. deGravelles, of Louisiana, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 to 2:15 for weekly caucus lunches.

7:23 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2014.

Before that, it passed S. Res 509 honoring Mattie Stepanek.

On Tuesday, the Senate will conduct three cloture votes at 10:45 a.m.  The first vote will be on Andre Birotte Jr, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California.  The second vote will be on Robin L. Rosenberg, of Florida, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.  The third vote will be on John W. deGravelles, of Louisiana, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 to 2:15 for weekly caucus lunches.

7:12 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about Ukraine and victims on the plane that was shot down.

6:50 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about Venezuelan politics and political prisoners there.

6:37 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about the need to pass a transportation bill.

6:30 p.m. Senator Corker spoke against the practice of pension smoothing.

6:25 p.m. Senator Boxer spoke about the need to pass the Highway Bill

6:17 p.m. The Senate confirmed, by voice vote, Michael Anderson Lawson, to assume the rank of ambassador during his service as U.S. representative on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization;

The Senate confirmed, by voice vote, Eunice S. Reddick to be ambassador to Niger.

5:30 p.m. The Senate voted 94-0 to confirm Julia E. Carnes of Georgia to the U.S. Circuit Court for the Eleventh Circuit.

5:20 p.m. Senators Chambliss and Isakson spoke on the Carnes nomination, supporting confirmation.

5:15 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about a Helsinki hearing

5:06 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke about the health care law.

4:59 p.m. Senator Hoeven spoke about Russia and energy.

4:46 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about the expiring highway authorization.

4:23 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the Southwest border crisis.

4:04 p.m. Senator Sessions spoke about executive actions on immigration.

3:47 pm Senator Stabenow spoke on the “Bring Jobs Home Act.”

2:33 pm Senator Nelson spoke on the 45th anniversary of the moon landing.

2:02 pm  ML Reid lays out schedule, laments blockage of nomination of Michael Lawson to be Ambassador to the Council of  International Civil Aviation, after plane shot down over Ukraine.  S. 2631 has its second reading.  Discusses southern border immigration crisis.

The Senate convened at 2 p.m. and will be in morning business until 5:30 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination of Julia E. Carnes of  Georgia to the U.S. Circuit Court for the Eleventh Circuit.

Voice votes are expected to follow immediately on the confirmation of these nominations:

– Michael Anderson Lawson to assume the rank of ambassador during his service as U.S. representative on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization;

Eunice S. Reddick to be ambassador to Niger.

6:06 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 2:00 pm, Monday, July 21. Up to 3 votes expected on Monday at 5:30 p.m.

• Confirmation of Julie E. Carnes to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the 11th Circuit.
• Confirmation of Michael Anderson Lawson to be Ambassador on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
• Confirmation of Eunice S. Reddick to be Ambassador to the Republic of Niger.

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

• S. Res. 489 Senate’s Support for Israel as it Defends Itself Against Unprovoked Rocket Attacks from the Hamas Terrorist Organization.
• S. Res. 488 Designating July 26, 2014, as National Day of the American Cowboy.
• S. Res. 507 Designating August 7, 2014, as National Lighthouse and Lightouse Preservation Day.
• S. Res. 508 Commemorating Centennial Anniversary of the Congressional Research Service.

S. 2631 Prevent Expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program Unlawfully Created by Executive Memorandum on August, 15 2012, was read for the first time.

***

5:27 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke on the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict.

5:22 p.m. Senator Graham spoke on the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict.

4:38 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke on the Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act.

4:17 p.m. Senators Leahy and Sanders spoke on the 90th birthday of former Vermont governor Philip Hoff.

***

3:35 p.m. Senator Sessions spoke about immigration.

2:30 p.m. Senator Ayotte spoke about providing military supplies and support to Ukraine.

2:24 p.m. Senators Shaheen and Ayotte spoke on the Marketplace Fairness Act.

2:23 p.m Cloture invoked on Carnes nomination 68-23.  Senate confirms nominations of David Shear to be Assistant Secretary of Defense, and David Mader to be Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management of the Office of Management and Budget by voice vote.  There are NO further votes today or this week.

1:53 p.m. Senate began cloture vote on the nomination of Julie Carnes to be a US Circuit Court Judge for the 11th Circuit.

1:45 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke about the border crisis.

1:25 p.m. Senators Graham and Corker engaged in a colloquy on Iran.

1:15 p.m. Senators Cardin, Paul, and Corker  spoke on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

1:14 p.m. ML Reid moved the cloture vote on Carnes nomination up from 2:00pm to 1:45pm.

1:14 p.m. Senate adopted S. 2244, Terrorism Risk Insurance bill by a vote of 93-4.  Senators Coburn, Roberts, Rubio, and Sessions voted no.  Senators Alexander, Coons, and Schatz missed the vote.

12:49 p.m.  Senate adopts Flake amendment #3551 97-0; and begins a roll call vote on passage of S.2244, Terrorism Risk Insurance.

12:35 p.m. The motion to waive the budget act with respect to the Coburn Amend #3549 was not agreed to by 47 to 49. Therefore, the point of order was sustained and  Amendment #3549 falls.  Senate  then adopted Vitter Amend #3550 by a voice vote and proceeded to a roll call vote on Flake Amedment #3551.

12:00 p.m. Senator Schumer raises budget point of order against Coburn amendment; Senator Crapo offers motion to waive budget act; and the Senate begins a roll call vote on motion to waive budget act with respect to Coburn amendment.

11:55 a.m. Senators Crapo and Schumer wrapped up in favor of the bill and against the Coburn amendment.

11:40 a.m. Senator Heller spoke for the bill.

11:32 a.m. Senator Johnson (SD) spoke in favor of the bill.

11:22 a.m. Senator Crapo spoke for the Vitter amendment. Senator Coburn brought up his amendment, #3549.

11:16 a.m. Senator Vitter brought up his amendment, #3550.

11:01 a.m. Senator Murphy spoke in favor of the bill.

10:55 a.m. Senator Crapo spoke in favor of the Flake and Tester amendments to the terrorism insurance bill.

10:40 a.m. Senator Flake offered and spoke on his amendment, #3551.

10:09 a.m. Senators Schumer, Tester, Johanns, Crapo, and Kirk spoke on the Terrorism Risk Insurance bill, with Sen. Tester introducing his amendment,#3552.

10:04 a.m. Senator Nelson spoke on the border crisis and the drug trade.

10:03 a.m. Senate begins consideration of S.2244, Terrorism Risk Insurance bill.

9:56 a.m. RL McConnell spoke against EPA regulations.

9:54 a.m. ML Reid gets UC agreement to proceed at 2:00pm to a cloture vote on the nomination of Julie Carnes to be a US Circuit Court Judge for the 11th Circuit; followed by two likely voice votes on confirmation of the nominations of David Shear to be Assistant Secretary of Defense, and David Mader to be Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management  of the Office of Management and Budget.  If cloture is invoked on the Carnes nomination, the vote on confirmation would be on Monday July 21st at 5:30pm. 

9:32 a.m.  ML Reid laid out the schedule for the day, and spoke on the border crisis; as well as thanking Ambassadorial corps and members of the Foreign Service, concerned about many Ambassadorial vacancies.

The Senate convened at 9:30am, and following leader remarks, will proceed to consideration of S. 2244, Terrorism Risk Insurance bill, with debate on the following amendments prior to votes at approximately 12:00noon.

1.  Coburn amendment #3549 (roll call vote on motion to waive budget point of order expected, with 60 vote threshold)

2. Vitter amendment #3550 (voice vote expected)

3. Flake amendment #3551 (roll call vote expected, majority threshold)

4. Tester amendment $3552 (voice vote expected)

5. Final passage of S.2244 (roll call vote, majority threshold)

There is likely to be agreement for a cloture vote at 2:0opm on the nomination of Julie Carnes to be a US Circuit Court Judge for the 11th Circuit.

5:34 p.m. Senate adjourns.

5:25 p.m. ML Reid gets UC for Terrorism Risk Insurance Program, debate on Coburn (#3549), Vitter (#3550), Flake (#3551) and Tester (#3552) amendments, followed by votes on amendments and passage of the bill at approximately 12:00 noon on Thursday; expect three roll call votes and two voice votes.

Files cloture on following nominations:
1. Julie Carnes to be US Circuit Court Judge for the 11th Circuit. (possible agreement for vote on cloture at 2:00pm Thursday)
2. Andre Birotte to be US District Judge for the Central District of California.
3. Robin Rosenberg to be US District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.
4. John de Gravelles to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana.

Items passed by UC:
HR 3212, regarding compliance with 1988 Convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction.
HR 1528, amending the Controlled Substance Act.
S Res 503, designating September 2014 as National Child Awareness Month.
S Res 504, regarding the Senate legal counsel.

UC that Senate adjourn until 9:30am Thursday, at that time after leader remarks begin consideration of S. 2244 under previous order.

4:32 p.m. Senate Democrats begin a colloquy on the border crisis.  Senators involved include Senators Mikulski, Heinrich, Hirono, and Blumenthal.

4:30 p.m. Senator Risch spoke in favor of an Idaho shooting safety measure.

4:18 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on the needs of veterans.

3:30 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke about Noah Harris, a Georgia citizen who died in Iraq fighting with the Army in 2005.

2:55 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about Hobby Lobby and religious freedom.

2:38 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke about immigration and children at the border.

2:37 p.m. The Senate did not invoke cloture on S. 2578, the Hobby Lobby corporate health care bill.  The roll call was 56-43 and 60 votes were required to invoke cloture.

2:00 pm. The following Senators spoke on the Hobby Lobby corporate health care bill: Cantwell; Fischer; Merkley; Alexander; Lee; Murphy; Barrasso; Schumer; Cruz; and Udall (CO).

12:50 p.m. On a vote of 53 to 44, the Senate confirmed the White nomination.

***

11:50 a.m. Senator Alexander spoke on the Hobby Lobby bill

11:35 a.m. Senator Merkley spoke on the Hobby Lobby bill

11:30 a.m. Senator Fischer spoke on the Hobby Lobby bill

10:49 a.m. Senator Cantwell spoke on the Hobby Lobby bill.

10:44 a.m. Senator Markey spoke on the Hobby Lobby bill.

***

10:43 a.m. On a vote of 54 to 43, the Senate invoked cloture on the White nomination.

***

10:13 a.m. Senator McCaskill spoke for the White nomination.

10:01 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the immigration problems at the border.

9:50 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke against the White nomination.

9:43 a.m. Senator Shaheen spoke on the Hobby Lobby bill.

9:35 a.m. Minority Leader McConnell spoke on the Hobby Lobby bill.

9:32 a.m. Majority Leader Reid outlined the schedule for the day, including an all-senators briefing on the immigration problems at the Southwest border.

***

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

At 10:15 a.m., the Senate will vote on whether to invoke cloture on the nomination of Ronnie L. White to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

If cloture is invoked, the confirmation vote on the White nomination will occur at 12:20 p.m.

Upon the disposition off the White nomination, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 2578, the bill to reverse the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling on insurance coverage of contraception.

At 2:10 p.m., the Senate will conduct a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the Hobby Lobby bill.

7:25 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30 a.m.  Wednesday and will have the first roll call vote of the day at 10:15.

6:40 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on Immigration.

6:25 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on climate change.

6:10 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

5:30 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke on the current situation in Iran.

5:00 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke on the current situation in Iran.

4:48 p.m. Senator Warren spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

4:13 p.m. Senator Hatch spoke against the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

4:09 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

4:08 p.m.  LaFleur nomination confirmed 90 – 7.  The following nominations were confirmed by voice vote:

James Nealon, Ambassador, Honduras.

Robert Wood, Ambassador, U.S. Representative to the conference on disarmament.
Paul Nathan Jaenichen, Sr., to be Ambassador of the Maritime Administration.

3:42 p.m. Bay nomination confirmed 52-45, roll call vote begins on the nomination of Cheryl LaFleur to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

3:16 p.m.  Roll call vote began on the nomination of Norman Bay to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

3:07 p.m. Senator Landrieu spoke in favor of the Bay and LaFleur nominations.

3:05 p.m. ML Reid got Unanimous Consent to add the following nominations to the vote sequence:

James Nealon to be Ambassador to Honduras; Robert Wood to be US Representative to the Conference on Disarmanment; and Paul Jaenichen to be Administrator of the Maritime Commission; all expected to be confirmed by voice vote.

2:55 p.m. Senator Thune spoke on the economy and the Affordable Care Act.

2:51 p.m. Senator Heinrich spoke in favor of the pending nominations.

2:35 p.m. Senator Ayotte spoke against the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

2:28 p.m. Senator Mikulski spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

2:15 p.m.  Senate returned from recess.  Senator Murkowski spoke against the Bay nomination.

12:49 p.m. Cloture invoked 85-10 on the LaFleur nomination, Senate stands in recess until 2:15pm.

12:29 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Cheryl LaFleur to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

12:28 p.m. Cloture invoked 51-45 on the Bay nomination.

12:02 p.m. Roll call vote began on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Norman Bay to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

11:38 a.m. Senator Coats spoke on the border crisis.

11:24 a.m Senator Barrasso spoke on the Affordable Care Act.

11:14 a.m. Senator Portman spoke on a humanitarian crisis in the Congo.

11:08 a.m. Senator Hagan spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

10:50 a.m. Senator Boxer spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby”bill.

10:42 a.m. Senator Booker spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby”bill.

10:31 a.m. Senator Murray spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby”bill.

10:23 a.m. Senator Udall (CO) spoke in favor of the “Hobby Lobby” bill.

10:12 a.m. Minority Leader McConnell spoke on the health care law, against the Hobby Lobby bill, and against the nomination of Norman C. Bay to FERC.

10:03 a.m. Majority Leader Reid brought up for second reading: S. 2599, a bill to stop sexual trafficking in children; H.R. 4718, a bill to amend the tax code on bonus appreciation.

Senator Reid also spoke in favor of S. 2578, the “Hobby Lobby” contraception bill.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00am.

Following Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 12:00 noon.

At 12:00 noon, the Senate will proceed to a series of 2 roll call votes on the following motions:

- Cloture on the nomination of Norman Bay, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

- Cloture on the nomination of Cheryl LaFleur to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Following the cloture vote on the LaFleur nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

If cloture is invoked on either of the nominations, the time from 2:15pm until 3:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

At 3:00pm, the Senate would proceed to vote on confirmation of the nominations.

On Monday evening, ML Reid filed cloture on the nomination of Ronnie White to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri; and he also filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2578, the “Hobby Lobby” contraception bill. Votes on these cloture motions can occur after the Senate convenes on Wednesday, July 16.

- Confirmation of Executive Calendar #839, Norman C. Bay, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

- Confirmation of Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

5:45 p.m. Senate is adjourned until 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 15.

5:44 p.m. Senator Hirono conducts first reading on S. 2599, to stop exploitation of children and H.R. 4718, to amend the tax code on bonus depreciation. Unanimous consent: If cloture is invoked Tuesday on the Bay and LaFleur nominations, confirmation votes will occur at 3 p.m.

5:09 p.m. Senators Murray and Udall of Colorado spoke in favor of the contraception bill.

5:07 p.m. Senator Reid filed cloture on the nomination of Ronnie L. White to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2578, the “Hobby Lobby” contraception bill. Votes on these cloture motions can occur after the Senate convenes on Wednesday, July 16.

4:35 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about what he sees as excessive pessimism in statements from other public figures; and later spoke against the Smarter Sentencing Act.

4:05 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about e-cigarettes; and later about fracking and the Everglades.

3:25 p.m. Senator Ayotte paid tribute to Steve Savage, chief of Police from Plaistow, NH, who passed away recently.

2:30 Sen Barrasso spoke against the Bay nomination.

2:02 ML Reid offers motion to proceed to S. 2578, regarding contraceptive health care coverage, spoke on Republican filibusters.

The Senate convened at 2:00 p.m. and will be in morning business until 6 p.m.

There will be no votes today.

The next votes will be at noon on Tuesday, July 15:

Cloture on the nominations of Norman C. Bay and Cheryl A. LaFleur to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The Senate will convene at 2 p.m. and will be in morning business until 6 p.m.

There will be no votes Monday.

The next votes will be on Tuesday, July 15 at noon:

Cloture on the nominations of Norman C. Bay and Cheryl A. LaFleur to be members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

6:53. The Senate adjourned. Next votes on Tuesday, July 15th.

Wrap Up: (Reid)
Unanimous Consent Agreement reached for consideration of S.2244, Terrorism Insurance Program. Consideration of this bill will be at a time to be determined (expected next week). The Senate also passed the following bills: S. 447, Haiti Earthquake relief, S. 454-457 – Post Office naming bills and S.Res 412, Asian Airspace Regulations.

4:30 Sen. Hatch spoke about President Obama’s policies

3:59 Sen. Tester spoke on the Supreme Court decision on Hobby Lobby and health care.

3:51 Sen. Leahy spoke on net neutrality rules.

3:22 Senators Hoeven, McCain, and Barrasso had a colloquy to introduce the North Atlantic Energy Security Act.

3:05 Sen. Klobuchar spoke on flooding in Minnesota

2:33 Sen. Inhofe spoke on President Obama’s foreign policy.

***

2:32 p.m. Donovan nomination confirmed 75-22.

2:04 p.m. Roll call vote begins on confirmation of the nomination of Shaun Donovan to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

2:02 p.m. Senator Murray spoke in favor of the Donovan nomination.

1:52 p.m. Senator Vitter spoke on the border crisis.

1:45 p.m. Senator Carper spoke in favor of the Donovan nomination.

1:23 p.m. Senators Kaine and Portman introduced a workforce education bill.

12:54 p.m. Senator Sessions spoke against the Donovan nomination.

12:46 p.m. Senator Shaheen introduced a bill to assist families paying for child care.

12:45 p.m. Senate proceeds to Executive Session to consider the following three nominations:   Shaun Donovan to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget; Douglas Silliman to be Ambassador to Kuwait, and Dana Smith to be Ambassador to Qatar.

12:40 p.m. ML Reid speaks on Sportsmans Bill.

12:39 p.m. Cloture not invoked 41-56.

11:46 a.m. Roll call vote begins on motion to invoke cloture on S.2363, Sportsmans Bill.

11:39 a.m. Senator Hagen speaks in favor of Sportsmans Bill.

11:22 a.m. Senator King spoke on deficits and the highway trust fund.

11:03 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the border crisis in Texas.

10:50 a.m. Senator Booker spoke on imprisonment for non-violent drug offenses.

10:40 a.m. Senator Enzi spoke on the sportsmen’s bill.

10:09 a.m. The minority leader spoke on the influx of illegal immigration at the border.

10:04 a.m. The majority leader spoke on the backlog of pending nominations.

10:02 a.m. The majority leader secured unanimous consent to proceed to S. 2363 at 11:45 a.m., with a cloture vote to occur immediately.

Second readings occurred on S. 2576, the birth control bill, and S. 2579, the reward for information on the Frankel murder.

***

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

Under an expected agreement, the Senate would vote at about noon on cloture for S. 2363, the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act.

The Senate will thereafter consider the n0minations below, with votes to occur at 2 p.m.:

– Shaun L.S. Donovan to be director of the Office of Management and Budget;

– Douglas Alan Stillman to be ambassador to Kuwait;

– Dana Shell Smith to be ambassador to Qatar.

The following amendments to S. 2363 are pending:

* Udall #3469 to clarify a provision on the non-federal share of buying land for a public target range;

* Reid second-degree, perfecting amendment #3490 to Udall amendment;

* Reid motion to recommit S. 2363 to committee, with instructions to report the bill back with Amendment #3492, a date change;

* Reid amendment #3492 to his motion to recommit;

* Reid second-degree amendment #3493 to his committal amendment.

First reading has been conducted on:

– S. 2576, a bill to respond to the Supreme Court’s “Hobby Lobby” decision on birth control;

– S. 2579, to provide a $5 million reward for information on the murder of U.S.-Israeli citizen Naftali Frankel.

Under a unanimous consent agreement, there will be no roll call votes on Monday, July 14.

Cloture votes will occur at noon on Tuesday, July 15 on the nominations of Norman C. Bay and Cheryl A. LaFleur to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

6:46 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. on July 10, 2014.

6:44 p.m. The majority leader ordered 1st readings for S. 2576, a bill to ensure that employers cannot interfere with their workers’ birth control; S. 2579, to allow the secretary of state to offer rewards for information on certain kidnappings.

6:41 p.m. On separate voice votes, the Senate passed HR 272, to build the Maj. Gen. William Vorley DoD/VA outpatient center in Marina, CA; HR 1216, to name the VA center in Prescott, AZ, after Dr. Cameron McKinley; S.Res. 498, to honor the life of Charles “Chuck” Noll; S. Res. 417, to make Oct. 30, 2014 a remembrance day for nuclear weapons workers.

6:37  On a voice vote, the Senate passed these measures en bloc: HR 255, HR 507, HR 697, HR 876, HR 1158, HR 2237, HR 3110, S. 247, S. 311, S. 354, S. 363, S. 476, S. 609.

6:31 p.m. Cloture filed on nomination of Norman C. Bay and Cheryl LaFleur to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

5:29 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about global warming.

5 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about the Veterans Administration.

4:47 p.m. Senator Hoeven spoke against the proposed rule changes that would expand EPA authority under the Clean Water Act.

4:31 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about a proposed rule that would expand EPA authority under the Clean Water Act.

4:03 p.m. Senator Cantwell spoke about the importance of American manufacturing and the need to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank.

3:59 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about gun violence and background checks.

3:40 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke against the Sportsmans  Bill

3:30 p.m. Senator Coons spoke about gang violence in Central America and the trafficking of children.

3:27 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke about unaccompanied immigrant children.

3:05 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke about the children of illegal immigrants

1:58 p.m. Senators McCain, Flake, Cornyn and Cruz discuss the border crisis.

1:29 p.m. Senator Hagen spoke in favor of S.2363, the Sportsmans Bill.

1:17 p.m.  Senator Donnelly spoke about Indiana natives role in the Civil Rights Act, on that laws 50th anniversary.

12:47 p.m. Senators Cardin, Harkin, and Wicker engaged in a colloquy on the Helsinki Commission/Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

12:39 p.m. Senator Reid filed cloture on S. 2363. Senator Reid offered a motion to proceed to S. 2244, a bill to extend the expiration of the terrorism insurance program.

12:37 p.m. Senator Reid called up Amendment #3469 (for Udall) to S. 2363 and asked for the Yeas and Nays; Amendment #3490 to Amendment #3469. Senator Reid moved to commit S. 2363 to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, with instructions and to report back Amendment #3491. Senator Reid called up Amendment #3492 t the instructions to commit. Senator Reid called up second-degree Amendment #3493 to Amendment #3492.

12:36 p.m. The Senate agreed, by voice vote, to the motion to proceed to S. 2363, the Sportsmen’s Bill.

12:36 p.m. The Senate confirmed, by voice vote, William Adams to be chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

12:35 p.m. The Senate confirmed, by voice vote, Darci Vetter as chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative.

12:35 p.m. The Senate confirmed Julian Castro as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development with a roll call vote of 71 to 26.

10:47 a.m. Sen. Schumer spoke on the violence between the Israelis and Palestinians.

10:45 a.m. Sen. Walsh spoke on Native American tax credits.

10:31 a.m. Sen. Durbin spoke on gun control.

10:21 a.m. Sen. McConnell spoke on President Obama’s policies and paid tribute to Army Specialist Kevin J. Graham.

10:04 a.m. S. 2569 Providing Incentives for Businesses to Bring Back Jobs to America, was read for the 2nd time.

Sen. Reid spoke on patriotism and House Republicans trying to impeach President Obama.

***

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

At noon, there will be a roll call vote on the nomination of Julian Castro to be secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Voice votes are then expected on two more nominations:

– Darci Vetter to be chief agricultural negotiator (with the rank of ambassador) for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative;

– William Adams to be chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Senate will then take up the motion to proceed to S. 2363, the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act, with a voice vote expected.