The 2020 Lynch Award for regional reporting on Congress is open for entries from daily reporters who qualify for membership in this gallery.
Prize: $1,500
Eligibility: Stories published Nov. 12, 2019 through Nov. 8, 2020
Deadline for entering: Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 5 p.m.
For details, CONTACT: John Mulligan (202)224-0241 or John_Mulligan@saa.senate.gov
The Senate stands adjourned for pro forma sessions only with no business conducted on the following dates and times:
Friday, November 20th at 8:15am
Tuesday, November 24th at 12:15pm
Friday, November 27th at 3:15pm
The Senate will next convene for business at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30th.
Following Leader remarks, morning business until 5:00 p.m.
At 5:00 p.m., resume consideration of the nomination of Taylor McNeel to be US District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi with a cloture on the nomination at 5:30 p.m.
Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations:
1. Philip Calabrese to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio.
2. Kyle Hauptman to be a Member of the National Credit Union Administration Board.
3. Kathryn Davis to be a Judge of the US Court of Federal Claims.
The Senate Press Gallery will handle credentials and tickets for daily newspapers, wire services and on-line publications covering the swearing-in ceremony for the 59th Presidential Inaugural on January 20, 2021. To apply, fill out the form available at the link below. Deadline: 5:00 p.m. on December 15.
https://icap.senate.gov/apply/daily/
NOTE: COVID 19 continues to guide safe coverage of all events, so in-person coverage of this inaugural will be more limited than usual.
Applicants should temper their expectations accordingly. Publications should limit the number of correspondents they seek to accredit. Submission of an application does not guarantee that you will receive a credential.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Publications that are granted credentials must comply with the RULES GOVERNING THE PRESS GALLERIES.
The Senate Press Gallery will credential reporters only for coverage of the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) handles coverage of all other events. Watch this site for information on the PIC: https://inauguration.dc.gov/
For updates on events at the Capitol, please visit https://www.inaugural.senate.gov/
If you have questions or problems, email us at Senate_Press_Gallery@saa.senate.gov
***
The Senate convened at 8:15 a.m. for a pro forma session, Senator Hawley presiding. No business was conducted. The next pro forma will be on Tuesday, November 24 at 12:15 p.m.
The next legislative session will convene at 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30.
6:33 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene for pro forma sessions only on the following dates and times:
The Senate will reconvene for regular session at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30. There will be a cloture vote on the nomination of Taylor McNeel to be US District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi at 5:30 p.m.
Senator McConnell filed cloture on the following nominations:
During wrap up:
Legislative Business
Passed Calendar #418, S.512, Seniors Fraud Prevention Act of 2019
Passed Calendar #580, S.2904, IOGAN Act
Passed the following Postal naming bills:
Calendar #441, S.2847
Calendar #443, S.3257
Calendar #445, H.R.1833
Calendar #446, H.R.3207
Calendar #447, H.R.3317
Calendar #448, H.R.3329
Calendar #449, H.R.4794
Calendar #450, H.R.4981
Calendar #451, H.R.5037
Calendar #494, S.3461
Calendar #495, S.3462
Calendar #496, S.3839
Calendar #497, S.4126
Calendar #532, H.R.4734
Calendar #534, H.R.5384
Adopted S.Res.779, Native American Heritage Month
Confirmed the following nominations:
Executive Calendar #369, Michelle A Schultz, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board
Executive Calendar #856, Robert E. Primus, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board
COAST GUARD
Executive Calendar #908, the following to be Rear Admiral:
Brendan C. McPherson
Douglas M. Schofield
Andrew M. Sugimoto
Richard V. Timme
Todd C. Wiemers
And all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Coast Guard.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Executive Calendar #801, Lisa S. Kenna, of Vermont, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Peru.
Executive Calendar #877, Thomas Laszlo Vajda, of Arizona, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Union of Burma.
Executive Calendar #879, Melanie Harris Higgins, of Georgia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Burundi.
Executive Calendar #880, Jeanne Marie Maloney, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Executive Calendar #882, James Broward Story, of South Carolina, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Executive Calendar #884, Michael A. McCarthy, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Liberia.
5:35 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about a covid relief bill and also spoke about the NDAA.
5:25 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke about the Miss USA who is from Mississippi.
5:18 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about Magnitsky statute.
5:17 p.m. By a vote of 49-41, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Kathryn Mizelle to be U.S. District Judge to the middle district of FL.
4:30 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke about the pilgrims.
4:09 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about Corona virus relief.
3:44 p.m. Senator McSally gave her farewell speech.
3:43 p.m. By a vote of 49 to 43, cloture was invoked on the nomination of Kathryn Kimball Mizelle to by U.S. District Judge for the middle district of FL.
2:58 p.m. By a vote of 49 to 43, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Stephen Vaden to the U.S. Court of International Trade.
1:49 p.m. Senators Wicker, Tillis, Ernst, Blunt and Young spoke in appreciation of veterans.
1:08 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke about a Nebraskan lumber company and the Higgins boat.
12:53 p.m. Senators Capito, Rounds and Hoeven spoke about military families.
12:32 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about the Judy Shelton nomination.
12:05 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about the honorary promotion of an WWII Oregon constituent to corporal.
11:56 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about politics and also spoke about Corona virus.
11:55 a.m. Cloture was invoked on the Vaden nomination by a vote of 49-44.
10:42 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about corona virus relief. He spoke about Senator Grassley. He spoke about judicial nominations.
10:31 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about Senator Grassley. He spoke about the presidential election results. He spoke about corona virus relief legislation.
10:09 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about Senator Grassley. He spoke about corona virus relief legislation.
***
The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.
At 11:00 a.m., there will be a cloture vote on the nomination of Stephen Vaden to be a judge for the US Court of International Trade.
There are two additional nominations that Majority Leader McConnell filed cloture on, and are expected to be debated and voted on this week:
1. Kathryn Mizelle to be a district judge for middle Florida.
2. Taylor McNeel to be a district judge for southern Mississippi.
7:24 p.m. The Senate adjourned.
7:20 p.m. Senator Portman wrapped up for the evening. Passed by UC: HR 1668, HR 5901, S. 2216, S Res 776; passed by voice vote: S Res 775.
7:06 p.m. Senator Portman spoke on the potential vaccines for Covid-19.
7:02 p.m. Senator Lee paid tribute to Colleen Healy upon her retirement from the Joint Economic Committee.
7:00 p.m. The Crouse nomination was confirmed, 50-43.
Senators voting in favor: 49 Republicans, 1 Democrat: Manchin.
Senators voting against: 41 Democrats, 2 Independents: King and Sanders.
Senators not voting: 4 Republicans: Alexander, Graham, Grassley, Rick Scott; 3 Democrats: Carper, Feinstein and Harris.
6:15 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #862 Toby Crouse to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Kansas.
6:03 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke supporting Senator Loeffler’s modernizing American health care legislation.
5:45 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke about the ethnic Arminian war.
5:34 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on the right to practice freedom of religion.
5:17 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change and rising sea levels.
4:56 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the pandemic.
4:36 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the coronavirus.
4:21 p.m. Senator Lee asked u.c. to proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 4902, a bill to designate the U.S. Courthouse located at 351 Southwest Temple in Utah as the Orrin G. Hatch Courthouse. Senator Romney also spoke supporting the bill. S. 4902 was passed by unanimous consent.
4:21 p.m. By a tally of 51-44 the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Toby Crouse to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Kansas.
3:37 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on Cal. #862, Toby Crouse to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Kansas.
3:37 p.m. ML McConnell has entered a motion to reconsider the cloture vote on Executive Calendar #760 Judy Shelton to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2010.
3:36 p.m. By a tally of 47-50 the Senate did not invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #760 Judy Shelton to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2010.
Senators Collins and Romney joined all Democrats and Independents voting against; McConnell changed vote to no in order to bring this nomination back again.
Not voting: Senators Alexander, Grassley, and Scott of Florida.
2:58 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #760 Judy Shelton to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2010.
2:57 p.m. The Senate confirmed Benjamin Joel Beaton to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky by a tally of 52-44.
2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from the recess and began a roll call vote on confirmation of the Beaton nomination.
12:16 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m. to accommodate the weekly party lunches.
12:16 p.m. By a vote of 52 to 44, the Senate invoked cloture on the Beaton nomination. Democrats in favor of cloture: Manchin and Sinema. NOT VOTING: Alexander, Grassley, Harris, Scott of Florida.
11:48 a.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Kristi Johnson to be a District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi by a tally of 53-43.
Senator Grassley was among those not voting, his first missed vote since the summer of 1993. Also not voting: Alexander, Harris, Scott of Florida.
Democrats Jones, Manchin and Sinema joined with the majority in favor of confirmation.
11:00 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Kristi Johnson to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.
10:35 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about corona virus vaccines.
10:20 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke against the nomination of Judy Shelton to the Federal Reserve Board.
10:04 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about corona virus relief. He spoke about appropriations. He spoke about the defense authorization bill. He spoke about judicial nominations.
***
The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume post-cloture consideration of the nomination of Kristi Haskins Johnson to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.
7:00pm The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, November 17, 2020. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #892, Kristi Haskins Johnson, of Mississippi, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi, post-cloture. At 11:00am, all post-cloture time will be considered expired, and the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Johnson nomination. Following disposition of the Johnson nomination, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #891, Benjamin Joel Beaton, of Kentucky, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky. Following the Beaton cloture vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings. If cloture is invoked on the Beaton nomination, at 2:15pm, all post-cloture time will be considered expired, and the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Beaton nomination. Following disposition of the Beaton nomination, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #760, Judy Shelton, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. If cloture is invoked on the Shelton nomination, the vote on confirmation of the nomination is expected during Tuesday’s session. Cloture has been filed on the following nominations: 1. Executive Calendar #892, Kristi Haskins Johnson, of Mississippi, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi 2. Executive Calendar #891, Benjamin Joel Beaton, of Kentucky, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky 3. Executive Calendar #760, Judy Shelton, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 4. Executive Calendar #862, Toby Crouse, of Kansas, to be United States District Judge for the District of Kansas In today’s session of the Senate Roll Call Votes 1. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #892, Kristi Haskins Johnson, of Mississippi, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi; invoked: 51-38. Legislative Business Passed the following bills: Calendar #505, H.R.6395 (NDAA) w/Inhofe substitute amdt S.2174, Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains, w/Cornyn amdt S.1342, Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Act Calendar #561, S.2981, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act Calendar #484, S.4054, Grain Standards Reauthorization, w/Roberts amdt Calendar #556, S.4462, FLOODS Act S.3312, Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act, w/Cornyn amdt S.4612, Methamphetamine threat S.732, AMBER Alert/PROTECT Act H.R.1830, National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act w/Schumer amdt H.R.4104, Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coin Act Calendar #509, H.R. 835, Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act of 2019 H.R.3589, Greg LeMond Gold Medal
3:00p.m. Leader McConnell spoke on Islamic extremism. He asked unanimous consent to call up HR 6395, to authorize appropriations for military activity for the fiscal year 2021. The Inhofe substitute was agreed to and the bill was passed.
The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of Executive Calendar #892, Kristi Haskins Johnson, of Mississippi, to be U.S. district judge for the southern district of Mississippi.
At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Johnson nomination.
Please note, Leader McConnell filed cloture on the following nominations in the following order: 1. Executive Calendar #892, Kristi Haskins Johnson, of Mississippi, to be U.S. district judge for the southern district of Mississippi. 2. Executive Calendar #891, Benjamin Joel Beaton, of Kentucky, to be U.S. district judge for the western district of Kentucky. 3. Executive Calendar #760, Judy Shelton, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2010. 4. Executive Calendar #862, Toby Crouse, of Kansas, to be U.S. district judge for the district of Kansas. 5. Executive Calendar #566, Stephen A. Vaden, of Tennessee, to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of International Trade. 6. Executive Calendar #894, Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, of Florida, to be U.S. district judge for the middle district of Florida. 7. Executive Calendar #893, Taylor B. McNeel, of Mississippi, to be U.S. district judge for the southern district of Mississippi.
The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Kristi Johnson to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi.
There will be a cloture vote on the Johnson nomination at 5:30 p.m.
Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations:
4:33 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 16th.
4:25 p.m. Senator Blunt wrapped up for the evening. S. Res 716, 717, 746, 764, 765, 766 and 767 were passed by voice vote en bloc. S. Res 768, 769, 770, 771, 772 and 773 were passed by voice vote en bloc.
2:51 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke on the Presidential election.
2:38 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on Covid-19 recovery, vaccines and China’s response; and later other priorities to finish before the end of the 116th Congress.
2:29 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell filed cloture on the following nominations:
2:28 p.m. The Cannon nomination was confirmed 56-21.
Senators voting in favor: 44 Republicans, 12 Democrats: Carper, Coons, Cortez Masto, Feinstein, Hassan, Jones, Kaine, Leahy, Manchin, Murphy, Rosen and Warner.
Senators voting against: 20 Democrats, 1 Independent: King.
Senators not voting: 9 Republicans: Alexander, Braun, Burr, Loeffler, Moran, Paul, Risch, Sullivan and Young; 13 Democrats: Blumenthal, Cantwell, Durbin, Harris, Heinrich, Menendez, Murray, Schatz, Shaheen, Sinema, Stabenow, Tester and Whitehouse; 1 Independent: Sanders.
1:40 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the Cannon nomination.
1:27 p.m. Senator Casey spoke supporting H.R. 1773, Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019. Senator Casey asked unanomous consent to call up and pass H.R. 1773. The bill was passed by u.c.
1:17 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about addressing the Coronavirus pandemic.
12:58 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about veterans.
12:41 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke about the Labor HHS appropriations bill.
12:40 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of
Aileen M. Cannon to be U.S. Judge for the Southern District of Florida by a tally of 57-21.
12:00 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Cannon nomination.
11:54 a.m. Senator Thune sought consent for passage of H.R.8472. No objection was heard. The measure passed.
11:53 a.m. Senator Smith joined Senator Thune in support of corona virus relief for schools.
11:50 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about coronavirus relief legislation.
11:36 a.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke about veterans. He spoke about President Trump’s response to the election.
11:05 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Pfizer corona vaccine. He called for Americans to continue preventive efforts, including social distancing and the wearing of masks.
11:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the Czech and Slovak Republics.
***
The Senate will convene at 11 a.m. and will resume consideration of the nomination of Aileen Mercedes Cannon to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
6:23 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 12. They will vote at 12 noon on the motion to invoke cloture on the Cannon nomination. If cloture is invoked they will vote on confirmation at 1:45 p.m. Passed during wrap-up:
H.R.8247: Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020.
H.R.8276: To authorize the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Alwyn C. Cashe for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
6:20 p.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on the nomination of Aileen Mercedes Cannon of Florida to be US District Judge for the southern district of Florida.
5:34 p.m. Senator Cassidy paid tribute to three Louisiana police officers that were shot.
5:10 p.m. Senator Coons paid tribute to Elaine and Wayne Manlove and other Delawareans who passed away this year.
4:35 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the election.
4:15 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about Morocco.
4:01 p.m. Senator Whitehouse gave his weekly climate change speech.
3:52 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about Veterans’ Day.
3:12 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke about President Trump not conceding the election.
3:03 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about the covid vaccine and also spoke about WWII veterans.
3:03 p.m. The Senate proceeded to morning business.
3:02 p.m. By a vote of 64-24 the Knepp nomination was confirmed.
2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from the recess and a roll call vote began on confirmation of the Knepp nomination.
12:38 p.m. The Senate recessed until 2:15 p.m.
12:35 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the coronavirus, the post-election period and Veterans Day.
12:06 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about about outgoing Defense Secretary Esper and about events in Burma.
12:02 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about Veterans Day.
The Senate will convene at 12:00 p.m.
Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of James Knepp to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio, post-cloture, and recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
At 2:15pm, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Knepp nomination.