6:55 p.m.: Senate adjourns

6:54 p.m.: ML Reid wrapped up for the evening.  Items passed by UC: S. 1254 and S Res 477.  Senate will convene on Wednesday at 9:30am and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to HR 4660, post cloture.

5:34 p.m.: Senators Menendez and Cardin spoke on vacancies in Ambassadorships.

5:33 p.m.: Cloture invoked on motion to proceed 95-3.  Senators Heller, Lee and Paul voted against.

5:12 p.m.: Roll call vote begins on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to HR 4660, the Commerce, Science, Justice Appropriations bill.

5:11 p.m.: On  a vote of 55-43, the Senate confirmed the Kadzik nomination.  Senator Paul joined all Democrats and Independents in favor, Senators Casey and Cochran missed the vote.

4:32 Senator Kaine spoke on embassy security.

4:10 Senator Ayotte spoke on the situation in Ukraine.

3:55 Senator Levin spoke on President Obama’s right to release prisoners without notifying Congress. He then offered a UC to have two votes at 4:45 pm on the nomination of Peter Kardzick  and the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to HR 4660, CSJ Approps.

3:45 p.m.: Portman – Taliban/Bergdahl prisoner release.

3:20 p.m.: Senator Durbin, unaccompanied migrant minors border crossing.  (Cornyn spoke about this at 2:32).

2:48 p.m.: Senator Sanders spoke on VA.

2:15 p.m.:Senate reconvened following weekly policy luncheons.

12:46 p.m.: The Senate went into recess, until 2 p.m., for weekly policy luncheons.

12:35 p.m.: Senator Thune spoke on unemployment.

12:31 p.m.: Senator Murray spoke about jobs creation and other programs.

***

12:30 p.m.: On a 54 to 43 vote, the Senate invoked cloture on the Kadzik nomination.

***

12:15 p.m.: On a 98 to 0 vote, the Senate confirmed the Gayles nomination.

***

11:53 a.m.: On a 52 to 44 vote, the Senate confirmed the Yandle nomination.

***

11:35 a.m.: On a 92 to 4 vote, the Senate confirmed the Mendoza nomination.

***

10:41 a.m. Sen. Cantwell spoke in support of the Mendoza nomination.

10:36 a.m. Sen. Murray spoke in support of the Mendoza nomination.

10:29 a.m. Sen. Durbin spoke on coal and climate change.

10:07 a.m. Sen. McConnell spoke on President Obama’s Administration and coal.

10:03 a.m. H.R. 4453, S Corporation Permanent Tax Relief Act and H.R. 4457, America’s Small Business Tax Relief Act were both read a second time.

10:02 a.m. Sen. Reid discussed the day’s schedule.

***

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

At 11 a.m., these confirmation votes will occur:

• Salvador Mendoza, Jr. to the U.S. district court for the Eastern District of Washington
• Staci Michelle Yandle to the U.S. district court for the Southern District of Illinois
• Darrin P. Gayles to the U.S. district court for the Southern District of Florida

The Senate will then proceed immediately to a cloture vote on the nomination of Peter Joseph Kadzik to be an assistant attorney general.  There would be up to eight hours of post-cloture debate.

Cloture has been filed on H.R. 4660, the3 Commerce-Justice-State appropriation. A cloture vote is expected after the Senate disposes of the Kadzik nomination.

6:37 PM: Senate adjourns until 10:00am on Tuesday June 17th.

6:35 PM: ML Reid does wrap up: HR 4437 and HR 4453 have their first reading.  Senate will convene on Tuesday at 10:00am, morning business until 11:00am.   Four roll call votes at 11:00am,  confirmation of the following three nominations:

• Salvador  Mendoza, Jr. to the U.S. district court for the Eastern District of Washington
• Staci Michelle Yandle to the U.S. district court for the Southern District of Illinois
• Darrin P. Gayles to the U.S. district court for the Southern District of Florida
• Cloture on the nomination of Peter Kadzik to be Assistant Attorney General

6:34 PM: Senate confirms by voice vote the nomination of Alice Wells to be Ambassador to Jordan.

6:33 PM: Vote ends, cloture invoked 55-37.

6:18 PM: Roll call vote begins on the nomination of Darrin Gayles to be a US District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

6:17 PM: Vote ends, cloture invoked 55-37.

6:01 PM: Cloture vote begins on the nomination of Staci Yandle to be a US District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois.

6:00 PM: Vote ends, cloture invoked 55-37.

5:30 PM: Cloture vote begins on the nomination of Salvador Mendoza to be a US District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington.

5:27 PM: ML Reid achieves UC to take up and voice vote the nomination of  Alice Wells to be Ambassador to Jordan.

4:43 PM: Senator McCain spoke on oversight of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program.

4:10 PM: Senator Murphy spoke on gun violence.

2:02 PM: ML Reid offered motion to proceed to HR 4860, Commerce Justice Appropriations bill.  He then discussed the schedule and the World Cup.

The Senate convened at 2 p.m. and will be in morning business until 5:30 p.m., whereupon cloture votes will occur on there nominations:

• Salvador  Mendoza, Jr. to the U.S. district court for the Eastern       District of Washington
• Staci Michelle Yandle to the U.S. district court for the Southern       District of Illinois
• Darrin P. Gayles to the U.S. district court for the Southern District       of Florida

**There are NO further votes today or this week.**

5:47 p.m. — The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. on Monday June 16. There will be three roll call votes at 5:30 p.m.

5:40 p.m. — Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 4660- The Commerce State Justice appropriations bill

5:30 p.m. — Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations:

• Salvador Mendoza, of Washington, to be District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington
• Staci Yandle, of Illinois, to be District Judge for Southern Illinios
• Darrin Gayles, of Florida, to be District Judge for Southern Florida
• Peter Kadzik to be Assistant Attorney General for NY

4:51 p.m. — Senator Grassley spoke about tax extenders

4:45 p.m.– Senator Heinrich spoke about student loan debt

4:27 p.m.– Senator Alexander spoke about the Labor HHS appropriations bill

4:11 p.m. — Senator Begich spoke about the VA

3:58 p.m. — Senator Rubio spoke about Iraq

3:50 p.m. — Senator Brown spoke about manufacturing

3:33 p.m.  — Senator McConnell spoke about Jim Bunning.

2:54 p.m. —  Fischer nomination confirmed 63-24.

2:31 p.m. — Roll call vote begins on the nomination of Stanley Fischer to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.

2:30 p.m. — Powell nomination confirmed 67-24.

2:14 p.m. Roll call vote begins on nomination of  Jerome Powell to be a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.

2:13 p.m. Brainard nomination confirmed 61-31.

1:45 p.m. — Roll call vote begins on nomination of Lael Brainard to be a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.

1: 33 p.m. — Senators Warren and Durbin had a colloquy on Student loans.

1:26 p.m. — Senator Portman paid tribute to President George H W Bush.

1:08 p.m. — Senator Murkowski spoke on student loans.

12:41 p.m. — Senators Heller, Casey and Sanders have a colloquy on the VA bill passed yesterday, after which Senator Sanders turns to discuss student loans.

12:30 p.m. — Senator Levin spoke about the treaty with Switzerland.

12:29 p.m. —  Following nominations agreed to by voice vote:

– Michael McCord to be Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller);

– Jane Chu to be chairwoman of the National Endowment for the Arts for a four-year term;

– Todd Batta to be an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture.

12:29 p.m.  – Senator Paul objected.

12:28 p.m. — Senator Levin attempts a Unanimous Consent agreement to take up at a future date Treaty regarding tax convention with Swiss Confederation.

12:27 p.m. — Roll call vote ends, nomination confirmed  52-41.

12:00 p.m. — Roll call vote begins on nomination of  Crystal Nix-Hines to be permanent representative to UNESCO.

11:34 a.m. — Senator Coats spoke against the Nix-Hines nomination.

11:30 a.m. The Senate proceeded to Executive Session to begin consideration of  the nomination of Crystal Nix-Hines  to be permanent representative to UNESCO, with the rank of ambassador.

10:58 am — Senators McCain and Graham spoke on the situation in Iraq.

10:26 am — Senator Harkin spoke on child labor practices.

10:15 am — Senator Wyden spoke on the Intelligence Authorization bill.

10:10 am — Senator Collins spoke on President G.H.W. Bush birthday.

9:50 am — Senator Blunt spoke on the VA legislation, President G.H.W.Bush birthday, and health care.

9:46 am — RL McConnell discussed the VA legislation, and paid tribute to President G. H.W. Bush and Martha Cassidy.

9:35 am — ML Reid lays out schedule for the day.

9:34 am —  Senator Murphy thanked the guest Chaplain, Rabbi Ginsburg for the opening prayer.

9:33 am — ML Reid offers motion to proceed to HR 4660, Commerce, Justice Science Appropriations.

The Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and is currently in a period of morning business.

At 11:30 a.m., the Senate will begin to consider the nomination of Crystal Nix-Hines of California to be permanent representative to UNESCO, with the rank of ambassador.

At noon, there will be as many as four confirmation votes:

– Crystal Nix-Hines;

– Michael J. McCord of Ohio to be Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller);

– R. Jane Chu of Missouri to be chairwoman of the National Endowment for the Arts for a four-year term;

– Todd A. Batta of Iowa to be an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture.

The Senate will then be in morning business until 1:45 p.m., whereupon there will be as many as three confirmation votes:

– Lael Brainard of the District of Columbia to the Federal Reserve Board;

– Jerome H. Powell of Maryland to the Fed;

– Stanley Fischer of New York to be Vice Chairman of the Fed.

7:02 p.m.  Senate Ajourned until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 12

5:49 p.m. — Roll call vote ends and the Sanders/McCain VA bill, HR 3230 as amended, passed 93-3.

4:38 p.m. — Roll call vote begins on passage of HR 3230 as amended with text of  S.2450, Sanders/McCain VA bill.

4:37 p.m. — Roll call vote ends, motion to waive  agreed to 75-19.  Senators Barrasso, Blunt, Coats, Coburn, Corker, Crapo, Cruz, Enzi, Flake, Johnson (WI), Lee, Paul, Portman, Risch, Roberts, Sessions, Shelby, Thune, and Wicker voted NO.  Senators Cochran, Graham, McCaskill, Merkley, Moran, and Scott missed the vote.

4:05 p.m. — Roll call vote begins on the motion to waive the budget point of order with respect to HR 3230/vehicle for S.2450, Sanders/McCain VA bill.

3:51 p.m. — Senators McCain, Sanders and Coburn spoke on the VA bill and the budget point of order.

3:49 p.m. — Senator Sanders offered a motion to waive the budget point of order.

3:30 p.m. — Senators Boozman, Murray, Vitter, and Sessions spoke on the pending VA bill, Senator Sessions raised a budget point of order against the bill.

3:17 p.m. — Senator Durbin responded to Sen Cornyn on immigration.

3:00 p.m. — Senator Cornyn spoke on immigration.

2:46 p.m. — Senator Coats spoke on the VA bill.

2:28 p.m. — Senator Hatch spoke on union employees being paid with taxpayer money to do union work.

2:16 p.m. — Senator Cantwell spoke on student loans.

2:08 p.m. — Senator Wyden spoke on the VA bill.

1:59 p.m. — Senator Booker spoke on student loans and the truck accident in New Jersey over the weekend.

1:38 p.m. — Senator Coons spoke on global warming.

1:20 p.m. — Senators McCain and Sanders engage in a colloquy on agreement to take up this bill and bring it to a vote this afternoon.

1:17 p.m. — ML Reid offers UC to take up Sanders/McCain VA bill until 4:00pm.   Possible budget point of order in order, no amendments in order.  One or two votes at 4:00pm, first on the possible budget point of order, followed by vote on passage of bill if budget point of order fails.

12:50 p.m. — Senator Rubio spoke about student debt and VA scandal.

12:40 p.m. — Senator Cardin spoke about costliness of higher education and student debt.

12:35 p.m. — Senator Warner spoke about student debt and income based payment.

12:01 p.m. — Senator Schumer spoke about Cantor and immigration reform.

11:16 a.m. — Senator Sanders spoke about the VA scandal.

11:07 a.m. — Senator Barrasso spoke about the Affordable Care Act

10:32 a.m. — S. Con. Res. 37, Authorizing the use of the Rotunda for the  Shimon Perez Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony, was passed by uc.

10:30 a.m. — On a vote of 56 to 38, the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the student loan bill.

9:41 a.m. — Senator Franken spoke for the the motion to proceed.

9:35 a.m. — Senator McConnell spoke against the motion to proceed to the student loan bill.

9:21 a.m. — The Senate resumed debate on the motion to proceed to S. 2432, the student loan bill, with Senator Alexander speaking in opposition.

9:16 a.m. — The majority leader outlined the schedule and spoke on the veterans bill.

***

The Senate will convene at 9:15am and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2432, the student loan bill.

At 10:00am, there will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.2432.

7:10 p.m. — Senate adjourns until 9:15am on Wednesday June 11th.

7:07 p.m. — Senator Casey wraps up for the evening.
Items passed by UC: H Con Res 100,regarding use of rotunda to commemorate 50th anniversary of civil rights act. UC that Senate adjourn until 9:15am Wednesday.
Vote on cloture on motion to proceed to S. 2432, student loan bill at 10:00am.

6:53 p.m. — Senator Casey speaks on student loans.

6:30 p.m. — Senator Blumenthal spoke on student loans.

6:08 p.m. — Senator Markey spoke on student loans.

5:46 p.m. — Senator Whitehouse spoke on anniversary of McCarthy hearings.

5:38 p.m. — Senator Hirono spoke on student loans.

5:24 p.m. — Senator Murphy spoke on the most recent school shooting and  student
loans.

5:12 p.m. — Senator Harkin spoke on student loans.

5:08 p.m. — Senator Isakson pays tribute to his father in law, who recently passed away.

4:53 p.m. — Senator Hoeven spoke on the VA situation.

4:10 p.m. — Senator Boxer spoke on immigration and student loan debt.

3:47 p.m. — Senators McCain and Cornyn have a colloquy on crime along the US/Mexican border.

3:33 p.m. — Senators Begich and Murray have a colloquy on Social Security.

3:32 p.m. — Roll call vote ends, cloture invoked 56-38.

3:16 p.m. — Roll call vote begins on cloture on the nomination of Stanley Fischer to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.

3:15 p.m — Roll call vote ends, cloture invoked 58-36.

2:58 p.m. — Roll call vote begins on cloture motion on the nomination of Jerome Powell to be a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve system.

2:58 p.m. — Roll call vote ends, cloture invoked 59-35.

2:30 p.m. — Roll call vote begins on cloture motion on the nomination of Lael Brainard to be a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve system.

2:15 p.m — Senate resumes session, Senator Jack Reed speaks on student loans.

12:47 p.m. — Senate recesses until 2:15pm.

12:46 p.m. — Roll call vote ends, nomination confirmed 58-35.

12:32 p.m. — Roll call vote began on the nomination of Richard Boulware to be a US District Judge for the District of Nevada.

12:32 p.m. — Roll call vote ends, nomination confirmed 91-0.

12:00 p.m. — Roll call vote began on the nomination of Leo Sorokin to be US District Judge for the District of Massachusetts.

11:46 a.m. — Senator Thunne spoke on Democrats messaging strategy.

11:17 a.m. — Senator Durbin and Shaheen spoke on the student loan debt issue.

10:43 a.m. — Senator Murray spoke on the VA bill.

10:38 a.m. — Senator McConnell spoke on  the VA bill.

***

10:36 a.m. — On a vote of 90 to 0, the Senate confirmed the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

***

10:02 a.m. — The majority leader moved to proceed to the student loan bill (S. 2432) and spoke on the VA bill, the Boulware nomination and the student loan bill.

***

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

Following the prayer and leaders’ remarks, the Senate will vote on confirmation of M. Hannah Lauck’s nomination to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

At noon, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nominations of Leo T. Sorokin to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and Richard Franklin Boulware II to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.

At 12:30 p.m. , the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. for weekly policy luncheons.

At 2:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on whether to invoke cloture on the n0minations of Lael Brainard of the District of Columbia and Jerome H. Powell of Maryland to the board of the Federal Reserve, and of Stanley Fischer of New York to be vice chairman of the board of the Federal Reserve.

Cloture has been filed on the motion to proceed to S. 2432, the student loan bill. A vote could occur on Wednesday.

8:30 p.m. — The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 10.

***

8:28 p.m. –  On a voice vote, the Senate confirmed the nominati0on of Crystal Nix-Hines of California to be permanent U.S. representative to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

***

7:45 p.m. — Senator Whitehouse on global warming and on the burning of H.M.S. Gaspee.

7:37 p.m. — Senator Boxer on global warming.

7:09 p.m. — Senator Inhofe on global warming.

7:05 p.m. — Senator Whitehouse on global warming.

***

7:03 p.m. — The majority leader secured unanimous consent for a schedule for  Tuesday:

– At 10 a.m., confirmation of M. Hannah Lauck’s nomination to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia;

– At noon, confirmation of the nominations of Leo T. Sorokin to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and Richard Franklin Boulware II to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.

– At 12:30 p.m. , recess until 2:15 p.m. for weekly policy luncheons.

– At 2:30 p.m., cloture on the n0minations of Lael Brainard of the District of Columbia and Jerome H. Powell of Maryland to the board of the Federal Reserve, and of Stanley Fischer of New York to be vice chairman of the board of the Federal Reserve.

***

6:57 p.m. — Senator Heinrich spoke on global warming.

6:45 p.m. — Senator Sanders spoke on global warming.

6:43 p.m. — Senator Markey spoke on global warming.

6:39 p.m. — Senator Heller spoke on the Las Vegas shootings.

***

6:38  p.m. — On a vote of 53 to 34, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Richard Franklin Boulware II to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.

***

6:19 p.m. — On a vote of 52 to 33, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Leo T. Sorokin to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

***

6:02 p.m. – On a vote of 52 to 32, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

***

5:12 p.m.  – The majority leader filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2432, the student loan bill. A cloture vote could occur on Wednesday.

***

2 p.m. — The Senate convened. The majorioty leader spoke on the Las Vegas shooting and on Miss Nevada and Miss U.S.A.

These senators spoke between the opening gavel and the majority leader’s appearance before the 5:30 p.m. votes:

Alexander on student loans; Heinrich, in honor of the late Chester Nez, World War II code talker; Grassley, in opposition to the nomination of Peter Kadzic as assistant attorney general; Coates on the health care law; Cruz on the Bergdahl exchange.

The Senate will be in session at 2:00 pm and will be in morning business until 5:30 pm.

At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session in order to consider judicial nominations, and proceed to the following three roll call votes:

1)  Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck to be a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia

2) Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Leo T. Sorokin to be a United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts

3) Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Richard Franklin Boulware II to be a United States District Judge for the District of Nevada.

If cloture is invoked on these three nominations then, according to a unanimous consent agreement, the Senate will proceed to the vote on confirmation for the three on Tuesday, June 10, at 10:00 am.

The Senate is not in session.

The Senate will next convene at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 9.

Cloture votes are expected at 5:30 p.m. Monday on these nominations:

– M. Hannah Lauck to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia;

– Leo T. Sirokin to the U.S. District Court for Masssachusetts;

– Richard Franklin Boulware II to the U.S. District Court for Nevada.

If  cloture has been invoked on the Lauck, Sirokin and Boulware nominations, all post-cloture time will be deemed expired and votes on their confirmation will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

Confirmation votes on these nominations will follow immediately:

– Lael Brainard of the District of Columbia to the Federal Reserve board;

–  Jerome H. Powell of Maryland to the Federal Reserve board;

– Stanley Fischer of New York to be vice-chairman of the Federal Reserve board.

5:33 PM: Senate adjourns until Monday June 9 at 2:00pm.