Senate Floor Activity - Monday, December 14, 2020

The President pro tempore called the Senate to order at 3 p.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 Friday, December 11, 2020, the Journal of the proceedings of the Senate was deemed approved to date.

Certain Procedures Dispensed With

Pursuant to the order of Friday, December 11, 2020, the morning hour being deemed expired, and the times for the recognition of the two leaders being reserved.

Transaction of Morning Business

The following transactions of morning business occurred on today.

Legislative Business (Monday, December 14)

H.R. 4704 (Rep. McAdams): A bill to direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to support multidisciplinary research on the science of suicide, and to advance the knowledge and understanding of issues that may be associated with several aspects of suicide including intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to areas such as wellbeing, resilience, and vulnerability.

-- Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2706 (Sen. Wicker): In the nature of a substitute.

-- Amendment SA 2706 proposed by Senator McConnell for Senator Wicker.

-- Amendment SA 2706 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S. 1636 (Sen. Roberts): A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the scope of new chemical exclusivity.

-- Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2707 (Sen. Alexander): In the nature of a substitute.

-- Amendment SA 2707 proposed by Senator McConnell for Senator Alexander.

-- Amendment SA 2707 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S. 2597 (Sen. Thune): A bill to require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to make certain operational models available to the public, and for other purposes.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- The committee amendment withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.

-- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2705 (Sen. Thune): In the nature of a substitute.

-- Amendment SA 2705 proposed by Senator McConnell for Senator Thune.

-- Amendment SA 2705 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Con.Res. 52 (Sen. Cornyn): A concurrent resolution to correct the enrollment of S. 3312.

-- Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

Executive Business (Monday, December 14)

PN1911: Brig. Gen. Austin E. Renforth, in the Marine Corps , to be Major General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2209: Zachary N. Somers, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years

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

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

PN2215: 7 nominations in the Coast Guard beginning with Capt. Michael H. Day and ending with Capt. Edward M. St. Pierre

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2246: Charles Edward Atchley, Jr., of Tennessee, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee

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

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

PN2251-1: Col. Guy M. Jones, in the Army, to be Brigadier General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2273: Lt. Gen. Michael T. Plehn, in the Air Force, to be Lieutenant General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2282: Michael G. King, in the Air Force, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2283: John M. Tokish, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2284: Mark Y. Lee, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2285: 98 nominations in the Navy beginning with Raul T. Acevedo and ending with Sheu O. Yusuf

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2286: 145 nominations in the Navy beginning with Branden J. Albrecht and ending with Brandy L. Zehr

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2287: 25 nominations in the Navy beginning with Mark E. Beaudet and ending with Zachary B. Zumwalt

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2288: 66 nominations in the Navy beginning with Christopher L. Adcock and ending with Michael J. Yoshihara

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2289: 3 nominations in the Navy beginning with Jason E. Hayes and ending with Christopher S. Walton

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2290: William J. Warkentin, in the Marine Corps, to be Lieutenant Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2291: Jared L. Reddinger, in the Marine Corps, to be Lieutenant Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2294: Joseph Dawson III, of South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina

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

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

PN2295: 206 nominations in the Navy beginning with Jeffrey B. Aday and ending with Jessica L. Zimmerman

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2296: 71 nominations in the Navy beginning with John A. O. Abordo and ending with True Xiong

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2297: 90 nominations in the Navy beginning with Joshua M. Adams and ending with Kent J. D. Wong

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2298: 40 nominations in the Navy beginning with Cassandra E. Abbott and ending with James J. Yoon

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2299: 49 nominations in the Navy beginning with Ezindu U. Ananti and ending with Eric C. Wright

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2304: Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Hughes, in the Navy, to be Vice Admiral

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2305: 554 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Jeffrey Donald Adling and ending with Christopher D. Zaremski

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2306: 197 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Chikaodi H. Akalaonu and ending with Tabatha R. Zellhart

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2307: 170 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Brian C. Adkins and ending with Scott C. Zetterstrom

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2308: 197 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Jason W. Abshire and ending with Brian P. Yoder

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2309: 33 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Priscilla M. Adams and ending with Isaac C. Williams

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2310: Miriam A. Krieger, in the Air Force, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2311: 2 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Jean P. Peltier and ending with Tara L. Villena

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2312: Andrew C. Sinelli, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2313: Phillip J. Armstrong, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2314: Tony D. Nguyen, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2315: Matthew B. Harrison, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2316: Michael S. Scioletti, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2317: 104 nominations in the Navy beginning with Michael A. Ajao and ending with Bryan E. Wooldridge, Jr.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2318: 28 nominations in the Navy beginning with Natalie R. Bakan and ending with Christopher E. Verzosa

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2319: 36 nominations in the Navy beginning with James P. Adwell and ending with Jessica N. Woody

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2320: 25 nominations in the Navy beginning with Bryan C. Barletto and ending with David W. Warning

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2321: 24 nominations in the Navy beginning with Colleen L. Abuzeid and ending with Robyn V. White

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2322: Brian B. Toupin, in the Navy, to be Lieutenant Commander

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2323: Jennifer L. Rhinehart, in the Navy, to be Lieutenant Commander

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2324: Brandon E. Clark, in the Navy, to be Lieutenant Commander

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2325: 99 nominations in the Navy beginning with Christopher L. Allen and ending with Edward P. Windas

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2326: 16 nominations in the Navy beginning with Raynard Allen and ending with Marlin Williams

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2327: 51 nominations in the Navy beginning with James G. Angerman and ending with Joseph M. Zukowsky

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2328: 58 nominations in the Space Force beginning with Israel Abensur and ending with Devin Lee Zufelt

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2333: Thomas L. Kirsch II, of Indiana, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit

-- Considered by Senate.

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

-- Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 42. Record Vote Number: 265

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate 12/15/2020.

PN2334: 5 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Brig. Gen. Patrick J. Cobb and ending with Brig. Gen. Darrin E. Slaten

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2335: 7 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Brig. Gen. Matthew D. Dinmore and ending with Brig. Gen. Mark A. Weber

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2336: 5 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Brig. Gen. Sandra L. Best and ending with Brig. Gen. Brett A. Wyrick

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2337: 5 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Brig. Gen. James R. Camp and ending with Brig. Gen. Torrence W. Saxe

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2338: Brig. Gen. Barry A. Blanchard, in the Air Force, to be Major General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2339: Col. Tara D. McKennie, in the Air Force, to be Brigadier General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2340: 31 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Col. Matthew A. Barker and ending with Col. Bryony A. Terrell

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2341: 4 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Col. Jeffrey R. Alexander and ending with Col. Rick L. Mutchler

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2342: 17 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Col. John H. Bondhus and ending with Col. Peter L. Zalewski

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2343: Col. Denise M. Donnell, in the Air Force, to be Brigadier General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2344: Col. Anthony D. Stratton, in the Air Force, to be Brigadier General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2345: Brandon M. Crisp, in the Army, to be Second Lieutenant

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2346: 76 nominations in the Navy beginning with Matthew B. Alexander and ending with Angelina R. Woodburn

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2347: 5 nominations in the Navy beginning with Derek S. Bernsen and ending with William J. Reimer

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2348: 63 nominations in the Navy beginning with Deena R. Abt and ending with Todd W. Wish

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2349: 52 nominations in the Navy beginning with Patrick R. Adams and ending with David M. Yost

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2350: 50 nominations in the Navy beginning with Joshua D. Allen and ending with Shawn F. Zentner

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2351: 1037 nominations in the Navy beginning with Oluwaseun O. O. Abegunde and ending with Peter J. Zollweg

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2352: 37 nominations in the Navy beginning with Bekim F. Austin and ending with Henry A. Villatoro

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2353: 57 nominations in the Navy beginning with Robert T. Augustine and ending with Alexander J. Wunderlich

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2354: 5 nominations in the Navy beginning with Gavin L. Kurey and ending with Anthony J. Wich

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2355: 20 nominations in the Navy beginning with Christopher S. Fife II and ending with Wayne M. Zanni

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2356: 16 nominations in the Navy beginning with James F. Adams and ending with Mary C. Walsh

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2357: 20 nominations in the Navy beginning with David F. Boring and ending with Jacqueline Zimny

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2358: 26 nominations in the Navy beginning with Neha U. Athavale and ending with Eric T. Wilmer

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2359: 80 nominations in the Navy beginning with Malikul A. Aziz and ending with Scott H. Zinn II

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2360: 42 nominations in the Navy beginning with Luis E. Banchs and ending with Matthew K. Wittkopp

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2361: 23 nominations in the Navy beginning with George W. Acfalle and ending with Emma S. Yearby

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

Adjournment

By unanimous consent, on the request of Mr. McConnell, at 7:10 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 10 a.m. tomorrow.