This is the call for entries in the annual competition for the Lynch Regional Reporting Award. The Deadline is December 19. Please click on this link for details on eligibility for the $1,500 award and on how to enter the contest.
7:10 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke on Pearl Harbor Day.
6:30 p.m. Senators Wyden and Bennet spoke about children in foster care.
6:17 p.m. Senators Rounds and Inhofe spoke on regulatory reform.
5:51 p.m. Senator Durbin again spoke about a “Dreamer”; an undocumented person who came to the US as a child.
5:45 p.m. Senator Tillis spoke on affects from Hurricane Matthew in North Carolina.
5:34 p.m. Senator Isakson paid tribute to Senators Ayotte and Mikulski.
3:14 p.m. Senator Coons, Majority Leader McConnell, Democratic Leader Reid, Senators Schumer, Hatch, Leahy, McCain, Durbin, Isakson, Murray, Collins, Mikulski, Alexander, Cardin, Casey, Nelson, Kaine, Blumnethal, Markey, Donnelly, Klobuchar and Carper paid tribute to Vice President Biden.
2:52 p.m. Cloture invoked on conference report S. 2943, NDAA 92-7.
Senators voting no: 4 Democrats: Gillibrand, Markey, Merkley, and Wyden. 2 Republicans: Lee and Paul. 1 Independent: Sanders.
Senators not voting: Cotton
2:31 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the Conference Report to accompany the Defense Appropriations, S. 2943.
2:30 p.m. By a vote of 94 to 5, the Senate concurred in the House amendment to H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act.
Senators voting no: 3 Democrats: Merkley, Warren and Wyden. 1 Independent: Sanders. 1 Republican: Lee.
Senators not voting: Cotton.
2:00 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to concur with the House amendment in H.R. 34, the 21st Century CURES Act.
1:57 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about the CURES Act.
1:45 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the CURES Act and about Senate process.
1:16 p.m. Senator Moran spoke on the Defense Authorization Act.
12:55 p.m. Senator Reed spoke on the Defense Authorization Act.
12:52 p.m. Senator Cochran paid tribute to Senator Mikulski.
12:46 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke on the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
12:33 p.m. Senator Hoeven spoke on the Dakota Access Pipeline.
12:29 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the 200th anniversary of the Judiciary Committee.
12:25 p.m. Senator Coons paid tribute to Senator Mikulski.
12:17 p.m. Senator Stabenow paid tribute to both Senators Boxer and Mikulski.
11:57 a.m. Senators Cardin, Collins and Boxer paid tribute to Senator Mikulski; Senator Mikulski thanked Senator Boxer for her comments.
11:29 a.m. Senator Mikulski spoke about her Congressional career.
11:02 a.m. Senators Shaheen, McCain, McCaskill, Graham, Portman, Capito and Sullivan paid tribute to Senator Ayotte.
10:55 a.m. Senator Ayotte gave her farewell speech to the Senate.
10:40 a.m. Senator Inhofe paid tribute to Senator Boxer.
10:10 a.m. Senator Boxer recalled her Senate career.
9:55 a.m. Senator Reed joined in the tributes to departing members.
9:33 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the legislative schedule. He paid tribute to Senators Ayotte, Mikulski, Boxer and Inhofe.
6:54 p.m. Senate stands adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume post-cloture consideration of the motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R 34, 21st Century Cures Act. By consent, the post-cloture debate time will expire at 2:00 p.m.
At 2:00 p.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 34, 21st Century Cures Act. Following disposition of H.R. 34, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, NDAA. If cloture is invoked on S. 2943, the post-cloture time will be counted as if having been invoked at 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
The time from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. will be reserved for tributes to the President of the Senate.
***
6:43 p.m. Senator Gardner spoke about S. 3084, American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, and asked unanimous consent to proceed with consideration of S. 3084. Senator Brown objected.
6:35 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke supporting Montenegro becoming a member of NATO.
6:19 p.m. Senator Brown spoke supporting retired coal miners.
6:02 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke in support for providing health care for retired mine workers.
5:51 p.m. Senator Casey spoke in support of the retired mine workers and for a lifetime guarantee of health care.
5:45 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke in support of HR 6416, Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act
5:33 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke in support of HR 6416, Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act.
5:27 p.m. Senator Warner spoke about his support for providing health care for the retired mine workers.
5:17 p.m. Senator Lee spoke about a column by George Will relating to Down Syndrome.
5:05 p.m. Senator Cardin paid tribute to Senator Mikulski and Senator Boxer.
5:00 p.m. Senator Blunt paid tribute to Senator Coats.
4:50 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about the 21st Century Cures Act and paid tribute to Senator Coats.
4:40 p.m. Senator Donnelly paid tribute to Senator Coats
4:30 p.m. Senator Coats gave his farewell speech.
4:20 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the 21st Century Cures Act and paid tribute to Senator Coats.
3:49 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke about the 21st Century Cures Act and the cost of prescription drugs and asked unanimous consent to offer an amendment to the motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R. 34. Senator Blunt objected.
3:31 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke on the Defense Authorization bill.
3:20 p.m. Senator Brown spoke on the 21st Century Cures Act and his support of the retired mine workers.
3:09 p.m. Senator Thune spoke on the Defense Authorization bill, Obamacare, and the Supreme Court vacancy.
2:48 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke on the Trump transition, particularly Steve Mnuchin.
2:40 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke on “Dreamers”; children brought to the US undocumented.
2:29 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke on health care in the 115th Congress.
2:20 p.m. Senator Roberts spoke on the 21st Century Cares Act.
2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from the recess, Senator Leahy spoke on election fraud.
12:33 p.m. The Senate recessed for the weekly caucus luncheons.
12:27 p.m. Senator Casey paid tribute to retiring Senator Reid.
12:17 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke on the 21st Century Cures Act.
12:04 p.m. Senator Murray spoke in support of the 21st Century Cures Act and investments to fight the opioid epidemic.
12:01 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke supporting retired coal miners.
11:34 a.m. Senator Shaheen applauded the 21st Century Cures Act and the efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
11:27 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about pending legislation including the 21st Century Cures Act, the upcoming Continuing Resolution, and NDAA.
11:22 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke in support of the Justice for All Reauthorization Act.
11:19 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about in support of the Justice for All Reauthorization Act.
11:02 a.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about the effects of climate change.
10:55 a.m. Senator Fischer paid tribute to the late Germaine Debro, an Army National Guardsman who died on duty in Iraq.
10:25 a.m. Senator Durbin joined in the tributes to Senators Coates and Kirk. He also spoke about immigration. He paid tribute to Senator Mikulski.
10:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the medical research bill and other legislation. He called for inclusion of the coal miners benefits bill in the continuing resolution. Senator McConnell also paid tribute to Senators Coates and Kirk.
10:02 a.m. Senator Cassidy saluted the visiting chaplain.
***
The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and, after leader remarks, will resume post-cloture consideration of the motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R 34, the “21st Century Cures” medical research bill. If all time is used, the post-cloture debate would end shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday.
6:52 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. Tuesday, when it will resume post-cloture consideration of the motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R 34, the medical research bill. If all time is used, the post-cloture debate would end shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday.
6:51 p.m. Senator Moran completed the process (begun at 3:39 p.m. by Senator Hatch) of reversing the Senate’s earlier passage of several measures by voice vote or unanimous consent.
6:36 p.m. Senator Capito spoke about the miners benefits bill.
6:25 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration.
5:44 p.m. By a vote of 85 to 13, the Senate invoked cloture for H.R.34 the 21st Century Cures bill. Voting “Nay” were Republicans Capito, Lee, Murkowski, and Portman; Democrats Boxer, Brown, Gillibrand, Manchin, Merkley, Schumer, Udall, and Warren; independent Sanders. Not voting were Democrats Murray and Wyden.
The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House Amendment to H.R.34.
5:39 p.m. ML McConnell paid tribute to Vice President Biden and asked unanimous consent to pass amendment #5137 to H.Con. Res. 174.
5:31 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on the 21st Century Cures Act.
5:03 p.m. Senator Kirk, Senator Alexander, and Senator Murphy spoke on the 21st Century Cures Act.
4:54 p.m. Senator Tester spoke on the 21st Century Cures Act.
4:30 p.m. Senator Collins spoke in support of the 21st Century Cures Act.
4:20 p.m. Senator Cassidy paid tribute to Senator Vitter.
4:02 p.m. Senator Vitter made his last Senate speech and reflected on his time in the Senate.
3:39 p.m. Senator Hatch secured consent to vitiate passage of the measures Senator McConnell had earlier brought up for Senate actions: H.R. 5602, Calendar Numbers 675 to 683 and S.3336.
3:24 p.m. Senator Hatch paid tribute to a longtime staffer, the late Jim Lyons, and to the late King Pumathon Aduuladay of Taiwan.
3:09 p.m. Minority Leader Reid spoke about Senator Alexander and about the Standing Rock pipeline.
3:03 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the Senate schedule. He brought up and the Senate passed the following measures:
— H.R. 5602, to amend Title 31 of the U.S. Code to authorize the Treasury include all funds when targeting the financing of terrorism in certain geographic areas (by voice vote);
— Calendar Numbers 675 to 683, en bloc (to name certain Post Office branches, by voice vote);
— S. 3336, to permit certain leases at military arsenals, by consent.
Senator McConnell also filed for cloture on S. 2943, the conference report on the military authorization bill, S. 2943.
***
The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m., and following any Leader remarks, will resume consideration of the House Message to accompany H.R.34, the 21st Century Cures Act.
At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.34, the 21st Century Cures Act.
The Senate has adjourned until 3:00 p.m. Monday, December 5th with a 5:30 p.m. roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act.
During today’s session:
****
5:45 p.m. Senator Corker spoke about the wildfires in Tennessee.
5:05 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the Inspectors General Empowerment Act and asked unanimous consent that the Senate pass S.579 (IG Empowerment). Senator McCain objected.
5:01 p.m. Senator Johnson spoke on the Inspectors General Empowerment Act.
4:33 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke on the economy.
4:15 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about President-elect Trump.
4:07 p.m. Senator Franken spoke about the overtime rule.
3:26 p.m. Senator Tester spoke about a member of his staff.
3:17 p.m. The Senate passed S. 10, the definition of Anti-Semitism, by voice vote.
2:43 p.m. Senator Moran spoke on the 21st Century Cures Act.
2:14 p.m. Senator Perdue spoke on Supreme Court nominations.
2:13 p.m. H.R. 6297, the Iran Sanctions Extension Act was passed 99-0. Senator Sanders did not vote.
1:47 p.m. The Senate began voting on H.R. 6297, the Iran Sanctions Extension Act.
1:44 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell filed cloture on a motion to concur in the House report to H.R. 34, 21st Century Cures Act. Majority Leader McConnell filled the amendment tree on H.R. 34.
1:32 p.m. Senator Coats spoke about government waste.
1:05 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the 21st Century Cures Act.
12:59 p.m. Senator Peters spoke about Iran sanctions.
12:46 p.m. Senator Kirk spoke about Iran sanctions.
12:17 p.m. Senator Blumethal spoke about Iran sanctions.
12:02 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the CURES bill and mental health care reform.
11:42 a.m. Senator Merkley spoke about President Elect Trump’s nominations for cabinet positions.
11:30 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke supporting crime victims and the Justice for All Act.
11:19 a.m. Senator Portman spoke about the opioid epidemic and CARA Act.
11:10 a.m. Senator Scott spoke in support of the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act.
11:04 a.m. Senator Casey spoke in support of the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act.
10:47 a.m. Senator Menendez spoke in support of H.R. 6297, the Iran Sanctions Extension Act.
10:08 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration. He paid tribute to Senator Kirk.
9:51 a.m. Minority Leader Reid spoke about Senator Mikulski.
9:47 a.m. Senator McConnell spoke about the 21st Century Cures Act and the Iran sanctions bill.
9:46 a.m. Senator Vitter thanked Senator McConnell.
9:32 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell paid tribute to Rep. Hal Rogers, R-KY, and to Sen. David Vitter, R-LA..
***
The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m.
At about 1:45 p.m., the Senate will vote on passage of H.R.6297, the Iran Sanctions Extension Act.
6:48 p.m. Senate stands adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 1st. The Senate will vote on passage of the Iran Sanctions bill at 1:45 p.m. The Senate passed the following bills during today’s session:
S.2971 – National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2016, with committee-reported amendment; S.3183 – Better Online Ticket Sales Act, with committee-reported amendment; Concurred in the House amendment to S.1550 – Program Management Improvement Accountability Act; H.R.5995 – GAO Civilian Task and Delivery Order Protest Authority Act of 2016; H.R.55009 – Dr. Otis Bowen Veteran House; S.Res.605 – honoring Arnold Palmer; S.Res.610 – Manufacturing Day; S.Res.626 – 75th anniversary of MD Anderson Cancer Center and S.3386 – Silver Star Service Banner Day.
4:53 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke about Fidel Castro.
4:33 p.m. Senator Fischer paid tribute to the retiring Adm. Cecil C. Haney.
4:05 p.m. Senators Graham and McCain engaged in a colloquy about the bill to permit lawsuits by the families of victims of terrorist attacks abroad.
3:55 p.m. Senator Isakson spoke about the 21st Century Cures bill.
3:45 p.m Senator Rounds spoke about the VA and emergency room care.
3:25 p.m. Senator Cassidy and Senator Murphy spoke about mental health.
3:13 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the fires in Tennessee and about mental health.
2:55 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke against sanctuary cities.
2:51 p.m. Senator Grassley asked unanamous consent to proceed with consideration of H.R. 5963. Senator Cotton objected and explained his concerns.
2:47 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on need to reform federal juvenile justice programs.
2:36 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on need to reform federal juvenile justice programs.
2:26 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke on the appropriations process and President-elect Trump’s business holdings.
2:24 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke about James A. Ross, Arkansan of the week.
2:12 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about Homeland Security funding and the appropriations process.
1:54 p.m. Senator Hoeven spoke about the Dakota Access Pipeline.
12:58 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about the election and about healthcare.
12:56 p.m. Senator Sasse spoke about ISIL.
12:46 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about retired coal miner’s health and retirement benefits.
12:31 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke about the death of Chief Petty Officer Scott Dayton in Syria and AUMF.
12:15 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke against the 21st Century Cures Act.
12:05 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke against the 21st Century Cures Act.
11:58 a.m. Senator Warren spoke on the 21st Century Cures Act.
11:40 a.m. Senator Wyden addressed Senator Cornyn’s objections to consideration of legislation relating to Rule 41.
11:32 a.m. Senator Wyden asked unanamous consent to proceed to a roll call vote on S. 3485. Senator Cornyn objected and explained his objection.
11:26 a.m. Senator Coons asked unanamous consent to proceed to immediate consideration of S. 3475. Senator Cornyn objected.
11:23 a.m. Senator Coons spoke about Rule 41 and protecting privacy rights.
11:20 a.m. Senator Daines spoke about Rule 41 and keeping citizens safe from government hacking.
11:19 a.m. Senator Wyden asked unanamous consent to proceed to immediate consideration of S. 2952. Senator Cornyn objected.
11:11 a.m. Senator Wyden spoke about Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
10:55 a.m. Senator Cornyn thanked Senator Enzi. He spoke about the legislative agenda.
10:32 a.m. Senator Enzi spoke about the federal debt.
10:15 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about immigration.
10:21 a.m. Senator Boxer spoke in tribute to Senator Reid.
10:05 a.m. Minority Leader Reid paid tribute to Senator Boxer.
10:02 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke of measures up for Senate consideration, including the 21st Century Cures Act. He said the Senate will take up that bill after the House passes it.
*****
The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.
No votes have yet been scheduled for today.
By an agreement reached Tuesday, a vote is expected this week on H.R.6297, the House-passed Iran sanctions bill.
Majority leadership has indicated that the Senate may take up following measures during the lame-duck session:
The spending resolution to continue government operations; the defense authorization; the water resources bill; the energy bill; the 21st Century Cures Act.
5:09 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke about the appropriations process.
4:45 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.
4:05 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the Supreme Court vacancy.
3:31 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke on the 21st century cures act.
2:46 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke on Iran sanctions.
2:28 p.m. Senator Boxer spoke on her bill changing the electoral college.
2:15 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke on funding for the National Institutes of Health.
2:15 p.m. The Senate returns from recess.
12:51 p.m. Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.
12:38 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke on the Garland nomination, the appropriation process and challenges ahead in the 115th Congress.
12:30 p.m. Senator Thune spoke on accomplishments of the 114th Congress and looks forward to the 115th Congress.
12:20 p.m. Senator Mikulski spoke on the appropriations process in both this Congress and the next.
12:14 p.m. Senator Blunt moves the Senate to a period of morning business, and speaks regarding international adoption.
12:13 p.m. S. 2873, the medical education “ECHO” bill was agreed to 97-0. Senators Corker, Gardner and Sanders did not vote.
11:30 a.m. The Senate began voting on S. 2873
11:22 a.m. Senator Daines (for Alexander) offered amendment #5110 to S. 2873. It was agreed to via previous agreement.
11:02 a.m. The Senate began consideration of the medical education bill.
10:33 a.m. Senator Cardin spoke on his measure to address the “emolument” clause of the Constitution, which concerns official conflicts of interest.
10:27 a.m. Senator Wicker spoke about S. 2873, the “ECHO” bill on medical education.
10:15 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about a constituent who struggled with U.S. Immigration policy.
10:10 a.m. Senator Reid described Democratic preferences on several of the lame duck agenda items.
10:08 a.m. Senator McConnell described the legislative agenda for the lame duck session, including the defense authorization, the water resources bill, the energy bill, the 21st Century Cures Act and the resolution to continue federal spending into next year.
10:05 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell sought consent to take up H.R. 6297, the reauthorization of the Iran sanctions bill, at a time to be determined.
Minority Leader Reid indicated that there is no Democratic objection. Senator McConnell said a Senate vote on the House-passed Iran sanctions bill may occur this week.
*****
The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11:00 a.m.
At 11:00 a.m., begin consideration of S.2873, ECHO Act
There will be up to 30 minutes of debate followed by a vote on passage of the bill, thus expect a roll call vote on passage at approximately 11:30 a.m.
The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
6:29 p.m. Senate adjourns until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday November 29, 2016.
6:26 p.m. ML McConnell does wrap-up.
The following were passed by UC:
HR 6297, the re-authorization of the Iran Sanctions bill had its first reading.
UC that when the Senate adjourns it do so until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday November 29. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11:00 a.m.
At 11:00 a.m., begin consideration of S.2873, ECHO Act, and the Alexander substitute amendment will be agreed to. There will be up to 30 minutes of debate followed by a vote on passage of the bill; at approximately 11:30 a.m. The Senate will recess on Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
5:09 p.m. Senator Cornyn responded to Senator Warrens comments regarding pharmaceutical companies; before turning to discuss nominations of President Elect Trump, including Senator Sessions.
4:57 p.m. Senator Warren spoke on the 21st Century Cures bill and concerns regarding pharmaceutical companies.
4:00 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival.
3:34 p.m. ML McConnell spoke on the business to complete before the end of the 114th Congress.
3:04 p.m. Senator Reid spoke on the Standing Rock protest and energy.
The Senate will convene at 3 p.m. There will be no votes today.
The next roll call vote will occur at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, on passage of the ECHO Act, S. 2873, a measure concerning medical education.
The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 11:00 a.m. Senator Coats presided and no business was conducted.
The Senate has adjourned until Monday, November 28 at 3:00 p.m. There are NO votes on Monday.
The next roll call vote will occur at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 29, relative to the ECHO Act (S. 2873).
The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 11:00 a.m. Senator Coats presided and no business was conducted.
The Senate will convene for one further pro forma during this Thanksgiving recess, on Friday November 25 at 11:00 a.m. No business is expected.
Following the pro forma on Friday, the Senate will adjourn until Monday, November 28 at 3:00 p.m., and which time proceed to a period of morning business.
There are NO votes on Monday.
The next roll call vote will occur at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 29, relative to the ECHO Act (S. 2873).
The Senate convened for a pro forma at 9:32 a.m. Senator Sullivan presided. No business was conducted.