7:04 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 23rd. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of Morning Business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
At approximately 12:15 p.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3012, Shutdown Fairness Act. The Senate will then vote on confirmation of the nomination of Stephen Chad Meredith to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Upon disposition of the Meredith nomination the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Rebecca L. Taibleson to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit.
7:03 p.m. The Senate convened.
The following bills were placed on the Legislative Calendar under Rule 14:
- S.3030, Pay our Military Act of 2025
- S.3031, Keep America Flying Act of 2026
- S.3032, Counter-UAS Authority Extension Act
******
7:02 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 7:03 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22nd.
During wrap-up:
- Agreed to by unanimous consent: At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Democratic Leader, no later than Friday, October 31st, it will be in order to discharge the Committee on Finance of S.J.Res.77, S.J.Res.81, and S.J.Res.88, individually, and when discharged, the Senate proceed to its consideration. There will be up to 6 hours for debate only on each joint resolution with the time equally divided between the Leaders or their designees and following the use or yielding back of time, each joint resolution be considered read a third time and the Senate vote on the resolution.
- S.J.Res.77, A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada
- S.J.Res.81, A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Brazil
- S.J.Res.88, A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose global tariffs.
- Began the Rule 14 process on the following:
- S.3030, Pay our Military Act of 2025
- S.3031, Keep America Flying Act of 2026
- S.3032, Counter-UAS Authority Extension Act
******
7:00 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Mercer nomination on a party line tally of 52-45. Not voting: Heinrich, Murkowski and Van Hollen.
6:42 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the nomination of William Mercer to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana.
6:41 p.m. By a party line vote of 52-45, the Senate invoked cloture on the Meredith nomination. Senators not voting: Gillibrand, Murkowski and Van Hollen.
6:25 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on Stephen Chad Meredith to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
6:24 p.m. By a vote of 60-39, the Senate invoked cloture on Bill Lewis to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama.
Democrat Senators voting in favor – Durbin, Fetterman, Hassan, Kaine, King, Peters, Schiff, and Shaheen. Senator Risch did not vote.
5:56 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Bill Lewis to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama.
5:55 p.m. By a vote of 54-46, the Senate did not invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 5371, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act , 2026. (House passed)
Democrat/Independent Senators voting in favor: Cortez Masto, Fetterman, and King. Republican Senator Paul voted no. Leader Thune changed his vote to no and entered a motion to reconsider. Senator Baldwin did not vote.
5:15 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.5371, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act , 2026.
5:08 p.m. Senator Daines spoke about the government shutdown. He then spoke on the nomination of William W. Mercer to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana.
5:00 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the government shutdown.
5:00 p.m. Senator Merkley concluded his remarks. Total time was 22 hours and 39 minutes.
4:48 p.m. As of 4:48 p.m. today, Senator Merkley has held the floor for 22 hours and 27 minutes, beating Senator Wayne Morse’s (Ind-OR) record for the longest floor speech by an Oregon Senator. He continued his remarks about democracy.
4:36 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Peters for a question about democracy.
4:33 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Wyden for a question about democracy.
4:16 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Durbin for a question about immigration.
4:02 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Welch for a question about tariffs.
3:46 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Schiff for a question about democracy.
3:26 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Kaine for a question about democracy.
3:20 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Murphy for a question about democracy.
3:10 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Sanders for a question about democracy.
3:01 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Minority Leader Schumer for a question about democracy.
2:46 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Blunt Rochester for a question about government funding.
2:35 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Murray for a question about democracy.
2:12 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Lujan for a question about healthcare.
1:52 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Kelly for a question about military leadership.
12:22 p.m. Senator Merkley continued to speak on the book “How Democracies Die” by Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky; he has held the floor for 19 hours.
12:58 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Shaheen for a question about Russia and Ukraine.
12:53 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Hirono for a question about corruption.
12:46 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Baldwin for a question about appropriations.
12:36 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Reed for a question about authoritarianism.
12:26 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Wyden for a question about authoritarianism.
12:06 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Blumenthal for a question about the White House construction.
12:03 p.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Warren for a question about healthcare.
12:00 p.m. The Senate paused and Chaplain Berry Black delivered a prayer.
11:51 a.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Warren for a question about healthcare.
11:45 a.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Minority Leader Schumer for a question about the media.
11:28 a.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Hassan for a question about education.
11:09 a.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Van Hollen for a question about democracy.
10:48 a.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Murphy for a question on democracy.
10:28 a.m. Senator Markey yielded to Senator Markey for a question about health insurance premiums.
10:07 a.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Smith for a question about American farmers.
9:51 a.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Cantwell for a question about tariffs.
9:45 a.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Durbin for a question about immigration.
9:06 a.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Booker for a question about President Trump’s policies.
8:28 a.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Schumer for a question about Viktor Orban and authoritarianism in other countries.
8:13 a.m. Senator Merkley yielded to Senator Klobuchar for a question about President Trump’s request for reimbursement from the Department of Justice.
8:00 a.m. Senator Merkley continued speaking about President Trump and authoritarianism.
7:00 a.m. Senator Merkley continued speaking about President Trump and authoritarianism.
6:00 a.m. Senator Merkley continued speaking about President Trump and authoritarianism.
5:00 a.m. Senator Merkley continued speaking about President Trump and authoritarianism.
4:00 a.m. Senator Merkley continued speaking about President Trump and authoritarianism.
3:00 a.m. Senator Merkley continued speaking about President Trump and authoritarianism.
2:00 a.m. Senator Merkley continued speaking about President Trump and authoritarianism.
1:00 a.m. Senator Merkley continued speaking about President Trump and authoritarianism.
12:00 a.m. Senator Merkley continued speaking about President Trump and authoritarianism.
