NEWS

ROLL CALL for the week ending Aug. 17

Thomas Voting Reports

Here is how Florida U.S. Sens. Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Marco Rubio voted on major issues during the week ending Aug. 17:

SENATE

Judge Marvin Quattlebaum: Voting 62-28, the Senate confirmed A. Marvin Quattlebaum, 54, a federal judge in the District of South Carolina, to serve on the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, which hears appeals from federal district courts in Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. A yes vote was to confirm the nominee.

Voting yes: Nelson

Not voting: Rubio

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Judge Julius Richardson: Voting 81-8, the Senate confirmed Julius N. Richardson, 41, a federal prosecutor based in Columbia, South Carolina, for a seat on the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. He and Judge Marvin Quattlebaum (above) become the newest members of the 15-judge circuit court based in Richmond, Virginia. A yes vote was to confirm the nominee.

Voting yes: Nelson

Not voting: Rubio

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Affirmation of Free Press: The Senate unanimously agreed to a measure (S Res 607) condemning President Trump's attacks on the U.S. news media, stating that the press is not an enemy of the people as Trump avers and affirming its "indispensable" role in advancing "the most basic and cherished democratic norms and freedoms of the United States." There was no record vote on the measure.

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KEY VOTES AHEAD

The Senate will vote on the 2019 Department of Defense budget and other appropriations bills in the week of Aug. 20. The House is in recess.