Senate Floor Activity - Thursday, December 5, 2019

The President pro tempore called the Senate to order at 10 a .m., the Chaplain offered a prayer, and the President pro tempore led the Senate in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

The Journal

Pursuant to the order of yesterday, the Journal of the proceedings of the Senate was deemed approved to date.

Certain Procedures Dispensed With

Pursuant to the order of yesterday, the morning hour being deemed expired, and the times for the recognition of the two leaders being reserved.

Transaction of Morning Business

Pursuant to the order of yesterday, the Senate proceeded to a period for the transaction of morning business.

Legislative Business (Thursday, December 5)

H.R. 2486 (Rep. Adams): A bill to reauthorize mandatory funding programs for historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 1255 (Sen. Alexander): In the nature of a substitute.

-- Amendment SA 1255 proposed by Senator Scott SC for Senator Alexander.

-- Amendment SA 1255 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S. 151 (Sen. Thune): A bill to deter criminal robocall violations and improve enforcement of section 227(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, and for other purposes.

-- Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.

S. 743 (Sen. Isakson): A bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the soldiers of the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), commonly known as "Merrill's Marauders", in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service in the jungles of Burma during World War II.

-- Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

Executive Business (Thursday, December 5)

PN185: Robert M. Duncan, of Kentucky, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2025

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 89 - 0. Record Vote Number: 385

PN964: Aurelia Skipwith, of Indiana, to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service

-- Motion to proceed to executive session to consideration of nomination agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum required under Rule XXII waived.

PN1055: Richard Ernest Myers II, of North Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 68 - 21. Record Vote Number: 383

PN1167: Patrick J. Bumatay, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit

-- Motion to proceed to executive session to consideration of nomination agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum required under Rule XXII waived.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate 12/9/2019.

PN1173: Sherri A. Lydon, of South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 76 - 13. Record Vote Number: 384

PN1175: Lawrence VanDyke, of Nevada, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit

-- Motion to proceed to executive session to consideration of nomination agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum required under Rule XXII waived.

PN1232: John Joseph Sullivan, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Russian Federation

-- Motion to proceed to executive session to consideration of nomination agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum required under Rule XXII waived.

PN1267: Stephen Hahn, of Texas, to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services

-- Motion to proceed to executive session to consideration of nomination agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum required under Rule XXII waived.

Adjournment

By unanimous consent, on the request of Mr. McConnell, at 3:57 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 3 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2019.