The Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing on the nomination of Judge Justin Walker to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Throughout the hearing, Democratic members questioned Judge Walker about his judicial experience as well as his past comments criticizing the Supreme Court's 2012 Affordable Care Act decision. In addition, Democratic senators urged the committee to focus on the coronavirus response efforts rather than on judicial nominees. At the st art of the hearing, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced Judge Walker, who currently serves on U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the committee followed social distancing guidelines and many senators participated remotely by video teleconference.
The Senate will resume debate on the veto message to accompany S.J. Res. 68, a joint resolution limiting U.S. military action against Iran without congressional authorization.
Sen. John Thune came to the floor to talk about the downturn in the economy during this Coronavirus outbreak. Then, Sen. Jeff Merkley urged Senators to override the president's veto of the Iran War Power's Resolution. After that, Texas Senator John Cornyn spoke about the Coronavirus and reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) recognized journalist Kyle Hopkins on the floor of the U.S. Senate for his work on a 17 part series on sexual assault in Alaska.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) held a briefing on the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic. The governor announced he is extending the states moratorium on residential and commercial coronavirus-related evictions through August. In addition, the state is banning late payment fees on rent and allowing residents to use their security deposit as a form of payment. Gov. Cuomo emphasized the importance of helping New Yorkers who are financially struggling during this time and encouraged philanthropies to support local food banks.
Maine Governor Janet Mills (D) held a news conference in Augusta on the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic. The governor announced a new partnership with IDEXX Laboratories, a Maine based diagnostics company, that will allow the state to triple its testing capacity. Gov. Mills called the partnership a "game changer" that would allow for testing in all long-term care and other at-risk facilities across the state. During the briefing, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah provided an update on the number of coronavirus cases across the state. According to Mr. Shah, Maine currently has 1,330 cases of the coronavirus virus, which includes 39 cases at a Tyson Foods processing plant in Portland.
The Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for President Trump's nominees for Navy secretary, Air Force chief of staff, and deputy defense undersecretary for policy. Navy secretary nominee Rear. Adm. Kenneth Braithwaite (Ret.) addressed military chain of command issues saying, "The Department of the Navy is in rough waters due to many factors but primarily the failure of leadership," referring specifically to the 2017 ship collisions and the USS Roosevelt's COVID-19 outbreak. Other topics addressed in the hearing included Afghanistan operations, policy toward Russia & China, Navy shipyard maintenance, defense acquisitions and U.S. presence in the Arctic. Gen. Charles Brown, currently the Pacific Air Forces commander, has been nominated as Air Force chief of staff and James Anderson as the deputy defense undersecretary for policy.
Illinois Senator Richard Durbin was critical of the Trump administration for trying to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act during the current health pandemic.
Sen. John Thune came to the floor to talk about the downturn in the economy during this Coronavirus outbreak. Then, Sen. Jeff Merkley urged Senators to override the president's veto of the Iran War Power's Resolution. After that, Texas Senator John Cornyn spoke about the Coronavirus and reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
The Senate failed to override the president's veto of a War Powers resolution limiting the use of military force against Iran without Congressional approval. Before the vote, Tim Kaine who sponsored the measure urged Senators to vote in favor of the resolution. Jim Inhofe who chairs the Arms Services Committee said Senators should vote 'no.'
Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) recognized journalist Kyle Hopkins on the floor of the U.S. Senate for his work on a 17 part series on sexual assault in Alaska.
Dr. Tom Frieden, former Centers for Disease Control Director, testified in front of a House Appropriations subcommittee on the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. During his testimony, Dr. Frieden called for the creation of a health defense spending fund, which would be exempt from discretionary spending caps set by Congress, and he said would allow the country to be better prepared for a future biological events. During opening statements both Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-OK) criticized the White House for preventing Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, from testifying before their committee regarding the coronavirus pandemic. Several members of the House Appropriations subcommittee were unable to attend the hearing due to concerns related to the coronavirus. Members of Congress, witnesses and others in attendance wore masks and practiced social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronaviru
The Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for President Trump's nominees for Navy secretary, Air Force chief of staff, and deputy defense undersecretary for policy. Navy secretary nominee Rear. Adm. Kenneth Braithwaite (Ret.) addressed military chain of command issues saying, "The Department of the Navy is in rough waters due to many factors but primarily the failure of leadership," referring specifically to the 2017 ship collisions and the USS Roosevelt's COVID-19 outbreak. Other topics addressed in the hearing included Afghanistan operations, policy toward Russia & China, Navy shipyard maintenance, defense acquisitions and U.S. presence in the Arctic. Gen. Charles Brown, currently the Pacific Air Forces commander, has been nominated as Air Force chief of staff and James Anderson as the deputy defense undersecretary for policy.
Illinois Senator Richard Durbin was critical of the Trump administration for trying to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act during the current health pandemic.
Sen. John Thune came to the floor to talk about the downturn in the economy during this Coronavirus outbreak. Then, Sen. Jeff Merkley urged Senators to override the president's veto of the Iran War Power's Resolution. After that, Texas Senator John Cornyn spoke about the Coronavirus and reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
