The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, February 12, 2014.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11:00am with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:
– Executive Calendar #525, Tina S. Kaidanow, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Executive Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large,
– Executive Calendar #595, Daniel Bennett Smith, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research),
– Executive Calendar #527, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of five years; United States Alternate Governor for the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of five years, and
– Executive Calendar #529, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be an Undersecretary of State (Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment).
There will be up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 11:30am), there will be up to 4 roll call votes on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed above. There will be two minutes of debate prior to each vote and all after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.
We expect to receive the debt limit legislation and the military retirement pay bill from the House. We hope to consider both items during Wednesday’s session.
At 11:36am, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #525, Tina S. Kaidanow, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Executive Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large;
Confirmed: 98-0
There will be up to 3 more votes in this series. There will now be at least 3 roll call votes at 1:45pm, with the possibility of several additional more votes.
Next:
– Executive Calendar #595, Daniel Bennett Smith, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research),
– Executive Calendar #527, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of five years; United States Alternate Governor for the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of five years, and
– Executive Calendar #529, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be an Undersecretary of State (Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment).
1:45pm:
– Cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, Debt Ceiling
– Adoption of the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, Debt Ceiling
– Motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.25, the legislative vehicle for the military retirement pay restoration with an offset (extension of sequestration)
We expect to add several additional votes to the 1:45pm vote series. Another message will be sent once any further agreement is reached.
House Message to Accompany S.540 (Debt Ceiling Increase)
Leader: I ask unanimous consent that following the series of votes scheduled for 11:30am and the resumption of legislative session, notwithstanding the previous order, the time until 1:45pm be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees; that at 1:45pm, the Chair lay before the body the message from the House to accompany S.540; that following reporting of the message the Majority Leader, or designee, be recognized to move to concur in the House amendment to S.540; that if a cloture motion is filed on the motion to concur, the Senate immediately proceed to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur; that if cloture is invoked, all post cloture time be yielded back and the Senate proceed to vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540; that upon disposition of the House message to accompany S.540, the Chair lay before the body the House message to accompany S.25, with the remaining provisions of the previous order remaining in effect with the debate time modified to be two minutes equally divided in the usual form prior to the vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.25; that if cloture is not invoked on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, the Chair lay before the body the House message to accompany S.25, with the remaining provisions of the previous order remaining in effect with the exception of the debate time which will now be two minutes equally divided in the usual form prior to the vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.25.
At 12:01pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #595, Daniel Bennett Smith, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research);
Confirmed: 98-0
At 12:16pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #527, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of five years; United States Alternate Governor for the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of five years.
Confirmed: 97-0
Executive Calendar #529, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be an Undersecretary of State (Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment) was confirmed by voice vote.
Senator Pryor asked unanimous consent to take up and confirmed the Brooks and Moody nominations (Arkansas district judges). Senator Grassley objected.
– Executive Calendar #565, Timothy L. Brooks, of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas.
– Executive Calendar #570, James, Maxwell Moody, Jr., of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
Upon disposition of the Military Retirement Pay bill, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of 8 nominations. We expect to conduct 5 roll call votes during this series and confirm the other nominations by voice vote.
1:45pm votes:
- Cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act
- Adoption of the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act
- Motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.25, Military Retirement Pay Restoration with an offset (extension of sequestration)
- Executive Calendar #497 Kevin W. Techau, of Iowa, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #498 Andrew Mark Luger, of Minnesota, to be United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar Hobbs, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #494 Gary Blankinship, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Texas for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #495 Amos Rojas, Jr., of Florida, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #496 Peter C. Tobin, of Ohio, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio for a term of four years
- Executive Calendar #531 Anthony Luzzatto Gardner, of New York, to be Representative of the United States of America to the European Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Executive Calendar #534 Robert A. Sherman, Massachusetts, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Portuguese Republic
1:56pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act;Invoked: 67-31
2:56pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on adoption of the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act;
Agreed To: 55-43
At 3:20pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.25, Military Retirement Pay Restoration with an offset (extension of sequestration);
Agreed To: 95-3
We expect all of the nominations to be confirmed by voice vote. The next vote will occur at 5:30pm, Monday, February 24.
The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice vote:
- Executive Calendar #497 Kevin W. Techau, of Iowa, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #498 Andrew Mark Luger, of Minnesota, to be United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar Hobbs, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #494 Gary Blankinship, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Texas for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #495 Amos Rojas, Jr., of Florida, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #496 Peter C. Tobin, of Ohio, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio for a term of four years
- Executive Calendar #531 Anthony Luzzatto Gardner, of New York, to be Representative of the United States of America to the European Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Executive Calendar #534 Robert A. Sherman, Massachusetts, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Portuguese Republic
The Senate then resumed Legislative Session and, by consent
Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to take up and confirm the Meyer, Moody, Donato, and Freeman nominations. Senator Cornyn objected. Senator Reid then filed cloture on the nominations. The first cloture vote will occur at 5:30pm on Monday, February 24. If cloture is invoked on the first nomination, there would be up to 2 hours for post-cloture debate. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate would proceed to a vote confirmation of the nomination, then proceed to the next cloture vote and repeat the process for the remaining nominations on the list. The mandatory quorums required under Rule 22 were waived by consent.
– Executive Calendar #564, Jeffrey Alker Meyer, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut;
– Executive Calendar #570, James Maxwell Moody, Jr., of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas;
– Executive Calendar #566, James Donato, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; and
– Executive Calendar #567, Beth Labson Freeman, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California.
Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1982, Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.
At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, following consultation with the Republican Leader, there will be up to 20 minutes for debate equally divided prior to a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #561, the nomination Michael L. Connor, of New Mexico, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior.
WRAP UP
Roll Call Votes
1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #525, Tina S. Kaidanow, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Executive Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large; Confirmed: 98-0
2) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #595, Daniel Bennett Smith, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research); Confirmed 98-0
3) Confirmation Executive Calendar #527, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of five years; United States Alternate Governor for the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of five years; Confirmed 97-0
4) Cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, the Debt Ceiling legislation; Invoked: 67-31
5) Adoption of the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, the Debt Ceiling legislation; Agreed to: 55-43
6) Motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.25, the legislative vehicle for the military retirement pay restoration with an offset (extension of sequestration); Agreed to: 95-3
Additional Legislative Items
Passed S.1254, a bill to amend the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998, and for other purposes with a Nelson amendment.
Adopted H.Con.Res.81, providing a correction in the enrollment of S.25 (military retirement pay restoration).
Adopted H.Con.Res.82, providing a correction in the enrollment of S.540 (debt limit).
Discharged the Judiciary committee and adopted S.Res.350, Designating February 14, 2014, as National Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care with Booker amendments to the preamble and the resolution.
Adopted S.Res.358, commending the Seattle Seahawks for winning Super Bowl XLVIII and the 12th Man for their critical support.
Adopted S.Res.359, to constitute the majority party’s membership on certain committees for the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen.
Began the Rule 14 process of S.2024, to amend chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, with regard to the definition of ‘‘marriage’’ and ‘‘spouse’’ for Federal purposes and to ensure respect for State regulation of marriage (Senators Cruz and Lee) in order to place the bill on the Legislative Calendar.
Additional Executive Items
Confirmed the following items by voice vote:
- Executive Calendar #529, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be an Undersecretary of State (Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment)
- Executive Calendar #497 Kevin W. Techau, of Iowa, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #498 Andrew Mark Luger, of Minnesota, to be United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar Hobbs, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #494 Gary Blankinship, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Texas for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #495 Amos Rojas, Jr., of Florida, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #496 Peter C. Tobin, of Ohio, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio for a term of four years
- Executive Calendar #531 Anthony Luzzatto Gardner, of New York, to be Representative of the United States of America to the European Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Executive Calendar #534 Robert A. Sherman, Massachusetts, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Portuguese Republic
Confirmed the following by unanimous consent:
Executive Calendar numbers 597; 598; 601; 602; 603, with the exception of Colonel Mark A. Baird and Colonel Robert W. Stanley II; 604; 605, with the exception of Colonel Andrew E. Salas; 606, with the exception of Brigadier General Jon K. Kelk; 607; 608; 609; 610; 611 and all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force and Army. The names corresponding to each Executive Calendar number is below.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Executive Calendar #597 Brad R. Carson – to be Under Secretary of the Army
Executive Calendar #598 William A. LaPlante, Jr. – to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force
AIR FORCE
Executive Calendar #601 Brig. Gen. William D. Cobetto – to be Major General
Executive Calendar #602 Brig. Gen. Bart O. Iddins – to be Major General
Executive Calendar #603 To be Brigadier General-
Colonel Roy-Alan C. Agustin
Colonel Robert G. Armfield
Colonel Mark A. Baird
Colonel Dieter E. Bareihs
Colonel Mitchel H. Butikofer
Colonel Mark D. Camerer
Colonel Douglas A. Cox
Colonel Stephen L. Davis
Colonel Eric T. Fick
Colonel Keith M. Givens
Colonel Paul H. Guemmer
Colonel Gregory M. Guillot
Colonel Gregory M. Gutterman
Colonel Darren E. Hartford
Colonel David W. Hicks
Colonel Brian T. Kelly
Colonel David A. Krumm
Colonel Peter J. Lambert
Colonel Evan M. Miller
Colonel Thomas E. Murphy
Colonel David S. Nahom
Colonel Mary F. O’Brien
Colonel Stephen W. Oliver, Jr.
Colonel Scott L. Pleus
Colonel John T. Rauch, Jr.
Colonel Christopher M. Short
Colonel Kirk W. Smith
Colonel Robert W. Stanley, II
Colonel Mark E. Weatherington
Colonel Stephen C. Williams
Executive Calendar #604 To be Brigadier General-
Colonel Dennis J. Gallegos
Colonel David D. Hamlar, Jr.
Colonel John S. Tuohy
Executive Calendar #605 To be Brigadier General-
Colonel Paul D. Jacobs
Colonel Timothy P. O’Brien
Colonel Andrew E. Salas
Executive Calendar #606 To be Major General-
Brigadier General Jon K. Kelk
Brigadier General Cassie A. Strom
Brigadier General Kenneth W. Wisian
Executive Calendar #607 To be Major General-
Brigadier General Daryl L. Bohac
Brigadier General Robert M. Branyon
Brigadier General Michael B. Compton
Brigadier General James E. Daniel, Jr.
Brigadier General Matthew J. Dzialo
Brigadier General Richard N. Harris, Jr.
Brigadier General Worthe S. Holt, Jr.
Brigadier General Gary W. Keefe
Brigadier General David T. Kelly
Brigadier General Donald A. McGregor
Brigadier General Robert L. Shannon, Jr.
Brigadier General Robert S. Williams
Executive Calendar #608 To be Major General-
Brigadier General Christopher J. Bence
Brigadier General Jack L. Briggs, II
Brigadier General David J. Buck
Brigadier General Thomas A. Bussiere
Brigadier General Stephen A. Clark
Brigadier General Stephen T. Denker
Brigadier General John L. Dolan
Brigadier General Michael E. Fortney
Brigadier General Peter E. Gersten
Brigadier General Gina M. Grosso
Brigadier General Jerry D. Harris, Jr.
Brigadier General Daryl J. Hauck
Brigadier General John M. Hicks
Brigadier General John P. Horner
Brigadier General James R. Marrs
Brigadier General Lawrence M. Martin, Jr.
Brigadier General John K. McMullen
Brigadier General Bradford J. Shwedo
Brigadier General Jay B. Silveria
Brigadier General Linda R. Urrutia-Varhall
Brigadier General Jacqueline D. Van Ovost
Brigadier General Mark W. Westergren
Executive Calendar #609 Col. Paul W. Tibbets, IV -to be Brigadier General
ARMY
Executive Calendar #610 Lt. Gen. David D. Halverson – to be Lieutenant General
Executive Calendar #611 Col. Stuart W. Risch – to be Brigadier General, Judge Advocate General’s Corps
======================================================
Last Floor Action:2/11
7:03:23 P.M. – The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on February 14, 2014.
Be a Seed for Change 
You must be logged in to post a comment.