Elizabeth Catte ("What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia"), Steven Stoll ("Ramp Hollow"), and Wendy Welch ("Fall or Fly") discussed the stereotypes and reality of life in Appalachia. This discussion was part of the Virginia Festival of the Book, held annually in Charlottesville.
Following leader remarks, the Senate will resume debate on nomination of Anna Manasco to be a U.S. District Court judge for the Northern District of Alabama.
Senator Durbin spoke on the Senate floor about the economic impact of the coronavirus on small businesses. After his remarks Senate Minority Leader Schumer criticized Majority Leader McConnell on having judicial nomination votes; saying instead they should be working on coronavirus relief legislation. He also criticized the Trump's administrations response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee approved a subpoena for documents and deposition from Blue Star Strategies, a consulting firm that worked with Ukrainian gas company Burisma when Hunter Biden served on its board. Ranking Member Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and other Democratic members voiced their opposition and urged the committee to focus on the coronavirus pandemic response. The final subpoena vote was 8-6, along party lines.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a confirmation hearing for President Trump's Deputy Energy Secretary nominee Mark Menezes. The hearing focused on various energy related issues including renewable fuel standards, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the oversupply of oil during the coronavirus pandemic, and the ongoing clean-up of Manhattan Project sites. Mr. Menezes also clarified a statement he made earlier this year about nuclear waste disposal at the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada. He said, "the administration will not be pursuing Yucca Mountain as a solution for nuclear waste." Currently, Mr. Menezes is the Energy Department's Under Secretary for Science and Energy.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin testified at a virtual Senate Banking Committee hearing about the $2 trillion CARES Act coronavirus relief bill. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin told lawmakers there is the risk of "permanent damage" to the economy if a lockdown persists but said the administration wants to reopen in a balanced and safe way. He also acknowledged that the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve are "fully prepared to take losses in certain scenarios" on capital remaining to be distributed from the CARES Act. In addition, committee members questioned the witnesses about worker protections, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, unemployment claims, and state and local budget shortfalls.
Senator Durbin spoke on the Senate floor about the economic impact of the coronavirus on small businesses. After his remarks Senate Minority Leader Schumer criticized Majority Leader McConnell on having judicial nomination votes; saying instead they should be working on coronavirus relief legislation. He also criticized the Trump's administrations response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Senator Thune spoke on the Senate floor about how Internet usage has helped employers continue business and students to continue their education during the coronavirus pandemic. He says there is a need for more 5G Internet. Senator Thune also spoke about House passed $3T COVID-19 Relief Bill.
Senator Kennedy introduced a bill titled the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act that would force Chinese companies to adhere to US. Securities law. The bill passed with unanimous consent. Following his remarks Senator Sasse spoke about his support for the bill.
Senators Menendez, Cassidy, Collins, Booker and Loeffler spoke on the senate floor about their support of the SMART Act legislation. The bi-partisan bill is aimed to help state and local governments during the coronavirus pandemic.
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) spoke on the floor about the investigation into Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and the transition of power from the Obama administration to the Trump administration.
Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) the ranking member of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee, spoke on the floor about legislation that would assist small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke on the floor about the nomination of John Heil to the U.S. District Court of Northern, Eastern & Western Districts of Oklahoma. Senator Lankford also expressed his appreciation for U.S. service members and stressed the importance of energy independence following the coronavirus pandemic.
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the floor about debt forgiveness for students who enrolled in fraudulent schools as well as protecting recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee approved a subpoena for documents and deposition from Blue Star Strategies, a consulting firm that worked with Ukrainian gas company Burisma when Hunter Biden served on its board. Ranking Member Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and other Democratic members voiced their opposition and urged the committee to focus on the coronavirus pandemic response. The final subpoena vote was 8-6, along party lines.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a confirmation hearing for President Trump's Deputy Energy Secretary nominee Mark Menezes. The hearing focused on various energy related issues including renewable fuel standards, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the oversupply of oil during the coronavirus pandemic, and the ongoing clean-up of Manhattan Project sites. Mr. Menezes also clarified a statement he made earlier this year about nuclear waste disposal at the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada. He said, "the administration will not be pursuing Yucca Mountain as a solution for nuclear waste." Currently, Mr. Menezes is the Energy Department's Under Secretary for Science and Energy.
