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.
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 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 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.
Senate Minority Leader Schumer spoke on the Senate floor about the number of deaths In the United States due to the Coronavirus. He said that he and Speaker Pelosi asked the President to lower the flags at half-mast at public buildings when the death toll reaches 100,000. He also talked about the Director of National Intelligence nominee Following his remarks Senator Thune spoke about the Director of National Intelligence nominee and responded to Senator Schumer's remarks about the Leader McConnell and the Senate not doing enough legislation in respect to the pandemic. Afterwards Senator Durbin spoke about the number of deaths in the United States due to the coronavirus and the impact the pandemic is having on the health system.
Senators Grassley and Wyden spoke on the Senate floor about Representative John Ratcliffe's (R-TX) nomination to be the next Director of National Intelligence.
Senator Cruz spoke on the Senate floor about the coronavirus pandemic and says China's response to COVID-19 caused a pandemic and should be held responsible.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin participated in a virtual summit on the future of the American economy hosted by The Hill. Secretary Mnuchin said there was a "strong likelihood we will need another bill" regarding a fourth coronavirus related stimulus package. The secretary promised to review any loans from the CARES Act that were more than $2 million, but he declined to commit to testifying in front of the House coronavirus relief committee.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) participated in a virtual summit on the future of the American economy hosted by The Hill. Sen. Warner discussed his proposal for the next coronavirus stimulus bill as well as the future of manufacturing in the United States. He proposed a direct payment option which would supplement paychecks for the unemployed up to $90,000. The senator also addressed the Trump administration's response to manufacturing personal protective equipment calling it a "complete disaster," and recommended bringing manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and other medical materials back to the United States.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) participated in a virtual summit on the future of the American economy hosted by The Hill. Sen. Cardin discussed his thoughts on the rollout of the CARES Act. He said the House and Senate are both considering an extension of the eight-week time frame in which loans dispersed as part of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) must be spent. Sen. Cardin hoped the next round of stimulus could be more targeted to small businesses in underserved communities. In addition, he expressed his hope for a bipartisan infrastructure package, which he says should include broadband and water infrastructure.
Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) participated in a virtual summit on the future of the American economy hosted by The Hill. Rep. Hurd discussed his opposition to the HEROES Act, which passed the House the previous week, saying he believed it made Americans too reliant on the federal government. Rep. Hurd also talked about food banks and the importance of feeding children who are no longer being fed through school nutrition programs.
Yale University hosted a virtual conversation with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic globally and on foreign policy. Former Vermont Governor and Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean moderated the discussion. Sen. Murphy talked about U.S. relations with China, Russia and Europe as well as climate change policy. He also touched on a few domestic issues, specifically health care policy and the Supreme Court.
Washington Post national political reporter Robert Costa conducted consecutive interviews with Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez (R) about how each is responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Ricketts talked about how his state was managing hospital capacity and what steps the meatpacking industry was taking to prevent outbreaks. Mayor Suarez discussed Miami's plans for reopening beaches and restaurants as well as his relationship with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
Project on Government Oversight Executive Director Danielle Brian discussed the role of Inspectors General in government and President Trump's firing of multiple IGs.
Senate Minority Leader Schumer spoke on the Senate floor about the number of deaths In the United States due to the Coronavirus. He said that he and Speaker Pelosi asked the President to lower the flags at half-mast at public buildings when the death toll reaches 100,000. He also talked about the Director of National Intelligence nominee Following his remarks Senator Thune spoke about the Director of National Intelligence nominee and responded to Senator Schumer's remarks about the Leader McConnell and the Senate not doing enough legislation in respect to the pandemic. Afterwards Senator Durbin spoke about the number of deaths in the United States due to the coronavirus and the impact the pandemic is having on the health system.
Senators Grassley and Wyden spoke on the Senate floor about Representative John Ratcliffe's (R-TX) nomination to be the next Director of National Intelligence.
Senator Cruz spoke on the Senate floor about the coronavirus pandemic and says China's response to COVID-19 caused a pandemic and should be held responsible.
Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) spoke on the floor to endorse Major General Scott Spellmon to be Chief of Engineers for the US Army Corps of Engineers. Following Senator Cramer's remarks Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) shared how he will be showing his appreciation for service members this Memorial Day.
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) spoke on the floor about the federal government's coronavirus response and the latest economic relief bill passed by the U.S. House.
Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AL) spoke on the floor to offer his appreciation for Gold Star families and to discuss legislation related to the Brady Doctrine which requires that the prosecution must turn over all exculpatory evidence to the defendant in a criminal case.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin participated in a virtual summit on the future of the American economy hosted by The Hill. Secretary Mnuchin said there was a "strong likelihood we will need another bill" regarding a fourth coronavirus related stimulus package. The secretary promised to review any loans from the CARES Act that were more than $2 million, but he declined to commit to testifying in front of the House coronavirus relief committee.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) participated in a virtual summit on the future of the American economy hosted by The Hill. Sen. Warner discussed his proposal for the next coronavirus stimulus bill as well as the future of manufacturing in the United States. He proposed a direct payment option which would supplement paychecks for the unemployed up to $90,000. The senator also addressed the Trump administration's response to manufacturing personal protective equipment calling it a "complete disaster," and recommended bringing manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and other medical materials back to the United States.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) participated in a virtual summit on the future of the American economy hosted by The Hill. Sen. Cardin discussed his thoughts on the rollout of the CARES Act. He said the House and Senate are both considering an extension of the eight-week time frame in which loans dispersed as part of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) must be spent. Sen. Cardin hoped the next round of stimulus could be more targeted to small businesses in underserved communities. In addition, he expressed his hope for a bipartisan infrastructure package, which he says should include broadband and water infrastructure.
Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) participated in a virtual summit on the future of the American economy hosted by The Hill. Rep. Hurd discussed his opposition to the HEROES Act, which passed the House the previous week, saying he believed it made Americans too reliant on the federal government. Rep. Hurd also talked about food banks and the importance of feeding children who are no longer being fed through school nutrition programs.
Yale University hosted a virtual conversation with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic globally and on foreign policy. Former Vermont Governor and Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean moderated the discussion. Sen. Murphy talked about U.S. relations with China, Russia and Europe as well as climate change policy. He also touched on a few domestic issues, specifically health care policy and the Supreme Court.
Washington Post national political reporter Robert Costa conducted consecutive interviews with Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez (R) about how each is responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Ricketts talked about how his state was managing hospital capacity and what steps the meatpacking industry was taking to prevent outbreaks. Mayor Suarez discussed Miami's plans for reopening beaches and restaurants as well as his relationship with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
Senate Minority Leader Schumer spoke on the Senate floor about the number of deaths In the United States due to the Coronavirus. He said that he and Speaker Pelosi asked the President to lower the flags at half-mast at public buildings when the death toll reaches 100,000. He also talked about the Director of National Intelligence nominee Following his remarks Senator Thune spoke about the Director of National Intelligence nominee and responded to Senator Schumer's remarks about the Leader McConnell and the Senate not doing enough legislation in respect to the pandemic. Afterwards Senator Durbin spoke about the number of deaths in the United States due to the coronavirus and the impact the pandemic is having on the health system.
Senators Grassley and Wyden spoke on the Senate floor about Representative John Ratcliffe's (R-TX) nomination to be the next Director of National Intelligence.
