Thursday, September 18, 2014

Senate adjourned at 10:35 p.m.

If the Senate does not receive a message that the House of Representatives has adopted a concurrent resolution providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and an adjournment of the House of Representatives (S.Con.Res. 44), the Senate will convene for pro forma sessions on the following dates, during which no business will be conducted:

 

  • Monday, September 22nd at 4:00pm
  • Thursday, September 25th at 12:00pm
  • Monday, September 29th at 12:00pm
  • Thursday, October 2nd at 12:00pm
  • Monday, October 6th at 2:00pm
  • Thursday, October 9th at 12:00pm
  • Monday, October 13th at 12:00pm
  • Thursday, October 16th at 12:00pm
  • Monday, October 20th at 10:15am
  • Thursday, October 23rd at 12:00pm
  • Monday, October 27th at 12:00pm
  • Thursday, October 30th at 12:00pm
  • Monday, November 3rd at 12:00pm
  • Thursday, November 6th at 12:00pm
  • Monday, November 10th at 12:00pm

 

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

 

  • If the Senate does receive a message that the House of Representatives has adopted S.Con.Res. 44, the Senate will not convene for the above pro forma sessions, but will convene at 10:00am on Wednesday, October 15 for a pro forma session only, during which no business will be conducted.

 

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

 

  • The Senate will convene at 2:00pm and proceed to a period of morning business until 5:30pm, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each.  The time will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders, or their designees.

 

  • At 5:30pm, the Senate will enter Executive Session and proceed to roll call votes on the motions to invoke cloture on the following nominations:

 

    • Randolph D. Moss to be a United States District Judge for the District of Columbia
    • Leigh Martin May to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia

 

  • By unanimous consent, if cloture is invoked on the Moss and May nominations, the Senate will proceed to roll call votes on confirmation of the nominations at 2:15pm on Thursday, November 13, 2014.

 

  • Following disposition of the Moss and May nominations, the Senate will immediately proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2013 (S. 1086).

 

 

The following amendments/motion are currently pending to the House message to accompany the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2013 (S. 1086):

 

  • Reid amendment to change the enactment date. (#3923)

 

  • Reid second-degree amendment to Reid amendment #3923, of a perfecting nature. (#3924)

 

  • Reid motion to refer the House message with respect to S. 1086 to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee with instructions to report back forthwith with an amendment, to change the enactment date. (#3925)

 

  • Reid amendment to Reid motion to refer #3925, of a perfecting nature. (#3926)

 

  • Reid second-degree amendment to Reid amendment #3926, of a perfecting nature. (#3927)

 

During Thursday’s Session

 

The House message to accompany the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2013 (S. 1086)

 

  • Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 1086.

 

Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 (H.J.Res. 124)

 

  • H.J.Res. 124 passed by a roll call vote of 78-22.

 

    • The motion to invoke cloture on H.J.Res. 124 was agreed to 73-27.

 

    • Cruz motion to table Reid second-degree amendment to Reid amendment #3851, of a perfecting nature (#3852) was not agreed to by a roll call vote of 50-50.

 

The Senate passed/adopted the following by voice vote:

 

  • Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014 (S. 1691, as amended by a Committee-reported substitute amendment, which was amended by a Carper amendment, which were agreed to by unanimous consent.)
  • Preventing Conflicts of Interest with Contractors Act (S. 2061, as amended by a Committee-reported substitute amendment, which was agreed to by unanimous consent.)
  • A concurrent resolution providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and an adjournment of the House of Representatives. (S.Con.Res. 44)The Senate passed/adopted the following by unanimous consent:
  • Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2014 (H.R. 4323)
  • A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to assemble a team of technical, policy, and financial experts to address the energy needs of the insular areas of the United States and the Freely Associated States through the development of energy action plans aimed at promoting access to affordable, reliable energy, including increasing use of indigenous clean-energy resources, and for other purposes. (H.R. 83, as amended by Murkowski amendment in the nature of a substitute (#3928), which was agreed to by unanimous consent.)
  • Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education Amendments of 2014 (H.R. 594)
  • To amend the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act to clarify how the Act applies to condominiums. (H.R. 2600)
  • Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2013 (H.R. 3043)
  • Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe – Fish Springs Ranch Settlement Act (H.R. 3716)
  • IMPACT Act of 2014 (H.R. 4994)
  • Examination and Supervisory Privilege Parity Act (H.R. 5062)
  • Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014 (H.R. 5404)
  • Federal Data Center Consolidation Act of 2013 (S. 1611, as amended by a Committee-reported substitute amendment, which was amended by Bennet and Carper amendments, all of which were agreed to by unanimous consent.)
  • Blackfoot River Land Exchange Act of 2014 (S. 2040, as amended by Crapo amendment in the nature of a substitute, which was agreed to by unanimous consent.)
  • E-LABEL Act (S. 2583)
  • United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 (S. 2673, as amended by a Boxer amendment, which was agreed to by unanimous consent.)
  • A bill to require the Secretary of State to offer rewards totaling up to $10,000,000 for information on the kidnapping and murder of James Foley and Steven Sotloff. (S. 2778)
  • A bill to authorize the award of the Medal of Honor to Henry Johnson. (S. 2793)
  • Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (H.R. 4980)
  • Improper Payments Agency Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2014 (S. 1360, as amended by a Carper-Coburn amendment in the nature of a substitute, which was agreed to by unanimous consent.)
  • Don’t Tax Our Fallen Public Safety Heroes Act (S. 2912)
  • A resolution celebrating the 125th anniversary of the State of South Dakota. (S.Res. 566)
  • A resolution designating the week of October 6 through October 12, 2014, as “Naturopathic Medicine Week” to recognize the value of naturopathic medicine in providing safe, effective and affordable health care. (S.Res. 420)
  • A resolution recognizing Veterans Day 2014 as a special “Welcome Home Commemoration” for all who have served in the military since September 14, 2001. (S.Res. 479, as amended by an amendment to the preamble, which was agreed to by unanimous consent.)
  • A resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and commending its members for their courage and sacrifice in service to the United States. (S.Res. 529)
  • A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the current situation in Iraq and the urgent need to protect religious minorities from persecution from the Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group the Islamic State, formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as it expands its control over areas in northwestern Iraq. (S.Res. 530, as amended by a Committee-reported substitute amendment, a Committee-reported amendment to the preamble, and a title amendment, which were agreed to by unanimous consent.)
  • A resolution recognizing the severe threat that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa poses to populations, governments, and economies across Africa and, if not properly contained, to regions across the globe, and expressing support for those affected by this epidemic. (S.Res. 541, as amended by a Committee-reported amendment to the preamble, which was agreed to by unanimous consent.)
  • A resolution designating September 30, 2014, as “United States and India Partnership Day”. (S.Res. 571)
  • A resolution congratulating the Sailors of the United States Submarine Force upon the completion of 4,000 ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) deterrent patrols. (S.Res. 572)
  • A resolution relative to the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act (S.Res. 573)
  • A resolution designating the week of September 20 through September 27, 2014 as “National Estuaries Week”. (S.Res. 574)
  • A resolution designating September 2014 as “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month”. (S.Res. 575)

 

Executive Session

 

Judicial Nominations/Cloture

 

  • Senator Reid filed cloture on the following judicial nominations:
    • Randolph D. Moss to be a United States District Judge for the District of Columbia
    • Leigh Martin May to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of GeorgiaThe Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice vote:
    • Mark William Lippert to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Korea
    • Adam M. Scheinman to be Special Representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation, with the rank of Ambassador
    • Kevin F. O’Malley to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Ireland
    • Bathsheba Nell Crocker to be an Assistant Secretary of State (International Organization Affairs)
    • Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall to be Deputy Secretary of Energy
    • Robert W. Holleyman II to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador
    • Eric Rosenbach to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense
    • D. Nathan Sheets to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury
    • Charles H. Fulghum to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Homeland Security
  • Alfonso E. Lenhardt to be Deputy Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development

 

  • Thomas Frieden to be US Representative to the World Health Organization

8:06 p.m. ML Reid filed cloture on the following nominations: (with votes scheduled to occur on both at 5;30 p.m., Tuesday November 12) Randolph Moss, MD, to be US District Judge for DC; Leigh Martin Ma, GA, To be US District Judge for Northern GA.   ML Reid also filed cloture on  the motion to concur to the House Amendment to S. 1086, childcare block grant bill , he then filled the Amendment tree.

6:39 p.m. The following nominations were confirmed by voice vote: Lippert, Scheinman, O’Malley, Crocker, Sherwood-Randell, Holleyman, Rosenbach, Sheets, Fulghum, Lenhardt, Friedman.

6:37 p.m. ML Reid asked unanimous consent to modify the executive calendar consent that was agreed to Wednesday, Sept. 17, to include the nomination of Thomas Friedman, NY, to be Representative of the United States on the Executive Board of the World Health Organization.

6:35 p.m. H.J. Res. 124 was passed by a vote of 78-22.

6:17 p.m. Cloture was invoked on H.J. Res. 124 by a vote of 73-27.

6:00 p.m. Cruz/Sessions motion to table the Reid Amdt #3852 fails by a vote of 50-50.  Five Democratic Senators voted to table:   Hagan, Landrieu, Manchin, Pryor and Shaheen.  Senate now voting on Cloture motion to H.J. Res 124 -  Continuing Resolution until December 11, 2014.

5:27 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on Senator Cruz’s motion to table Reid amendment # 3852.

5:22 p.m. Senator Leahy asked unnimous consent that the Senate pass H.R. 4323. Passed without objection, after comments by Senators McConnell, Cornyn, and Mikulski.

5:20 p.m. Senator Leahy asked unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to H.R. 4323, Reauthorize the Debbie Smith Act of 2004. Passed without objection.

5:07 p.m. Senator Mikulski spoke on the continuing resolution.

5:00 p.m. Senator Coburn spoke on the continuing resolution.

4:53 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke on Syria.

4:46 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke on Syria.

4:41 p.m. Senator Mikulski asked unanimous consent to modified the Executive Calender consent to include executive calendar # 925, the Alfonso E. Lenhardt, NY to be Deputy Administrator  of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Unanimous consent confirmed.

4:39 p.m. Senator Lee asked unanimous consent to offer amdt. # 3845. Senator Mikulski objected.

4:23 p.m. Senator Lee spoke on amnesty and ISIS.

4:16 p.m. Senator Cruz moved to table Reid amdt. # 3852 to offer Cruz/ Session amdt. #3859. Senator Mikulski seconded the motion.

4:09 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about the border and amnesty.

3:45 p.m. Senator Sessions spoke about the border and executive amnesty.

3:30 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the CR and ISIS.

3:20 p.m. Senator Begich spoke about not supporting arming Syrian rebels.

3:10 p.m. Senator Graham spoke about ISIS.

3:02 p.m. Senator McCain  spoke about the CR, ISIS and Syria.

2:59 p.m. Senator Ayotte spoke about Ukraine.

2:48 p.m. Senator King spoke about ISIS.

2:41 p.m. Senator Mikulski paid tribute to the Baltimore Orioles.

2:10 p.m. Senator Levin, and at 2:30 p.m. Senator Tester spoke about the Islamic State.

1:22 p.m. Senator Paul sought a unanimous consent agreement to conduct a separate vote on war spending. Senator Mikulski objected. Senator Paul spoke against intervention in Syria.

1:01 p.m. Senators Mikulski and Shelby spoke in favor of the continuing resolution (H.J. Res. 124).

1:00 p.m. The Senate turned to H.J. Res. 124 and Senator Reid filled the amendment tree and filed cloture on the Resolution.  Votes on cloture and final passage are expected after up to four and a half hours of debate.

12:19 a.m. Senator Boxer spoke about the importance of the vote on H.J. Res 124 and then responded to the colloquy on the Keystone XL pipeline.

12:13 a.m. Senator Nelson urged the Senate to give President Obama broad authority to fight ISIS.

11:33 a.m. Senator Hoeven engages in a colloquy with Senators Barrasso, Isakson, and Inhofe on the Keystone XL pipeline.

11:29 a.m. Republican Leader  McConnel spoke on the address from the President of Ukraine this morning. before turning to discuss the CR.

11:26 a.m. Senator Cruz continues on ISIS.

11:25 a.m. Senator Hirono objects.

11:13 a.m. Senator Cruz discussed ISIS; asks UC to take up and pass S.2779, regarding US citizens joining ISIS would be renouncing their US citizenship .

The Senate is in a period of morning business until 1:00 p.m.

At 1:00 p.m., the Senate will turn to H.J. Res. 124 (the House-passed CR). Votes on H.J. Res. 124 (the CR), including final passage, are expected to begin around 5:30 p.m, Thursday, September 18, 2014.

According to the time agreement, the Senate will have up to four and a half hours of debate on H.J. Res. 124 (the CR).  Only a Sessions (or designee) motion to table or a budget point of order and an applicable motion to waive will be in order to the Joint Resolution.  If the motion to table is agreed to, Majority Leader Reid will be recognized.  If a motion to table is not agreed to, the Senate will proceed to vote on a cloture motion on H.J. Res. 124 (the CR).  If cloture is invoked, all post-cloture time will be considered expired and the Senate will proceed to a vote on final passage of H.J. Res. 124.  

Following disposition of H.J. Res 124, the Senate will consider a series of military nominations — Executive Calendar # 1009-1026.

Following that, the Senate will consider the following nominations:

  • Mark William Lippert, of Ohio, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Korea.  (Cal.#893)
  • Adam M. Scheinman, of Virginia, to be Special Representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation, with the rank of Ambassador. (Cal.# 524)
  • Bathsheba Nell Crocker, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State. (Cal.# 702)
  • Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, of California, to be Deputy Secretary of Energy.  (Cal.# 1002)
  • Robert W. Holleyman II, of Louisiana, to be a
    Deputy United States Trade Representative (Cal.#  997)
  • Eric Rosenbach, of Pennsylvania, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense. (Cal.# 708)
  • D. Nathan Sheets, of Maryland, to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury. (Cal.# 996)
  • Charles H. Fulghum, of North Carolina, to be Chief Financial
    Officer, Department of Homeland Security (Cal.# 1917)
  • Kevin F. O’Malley, of Missouri, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Ireland (Cal.# 959)