Thursday, November 20, 2025

4:35 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene for pro forma sessions on the following dates:

  • Friday, Nov. 21-11:00 a.m.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 25-1:45 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 28-5:30 p.m.

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, Nov. 28 it will stand adjourned until 3:00 p.m. December 1. At 5:30 p.m. they will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on David Bragdon to be US District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina.

Passed during wrap-up:

  • S. 351-establish a pilot grant program to improve recycling accessibility.
  • S. 2110-require the administrator of the EPA to prepare a report on reuse and refill systems
  • S. 2379-amend the State Justice Institute
  • H.J. Res. 133-requesting the Secretary of the Interior to authorize unique and one-time arrangements for displays on the National Mall and the Washington Monument.
  • S. 1318-direct the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a program to identify deceased members of the Armed Forces who were Jewish and buried in a U.S. military cemetery located outside of the United States under a marker indicating the member was not Jewish.
  • H.R. 970-amend Title 38 of U.S. Code to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to periodically review the automatic maximum coverage under the servicemembers group life insurance program
  • H.R. 983-amend title 38 to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disapprove courses of education offered by a public institution of higher learning that does not charge the in-State tuition rate to a veteran using certain educational assistance under title 10 of such Code
  • H.R. 1912-amend title 38-to improve the repayment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of benefits misused by a fiduciary
  • S. Res. 439-Congratulating Delta State University for 100 years of service to Mississippi

Passed en bloc:

  • S. Res. 513-• A resolution designating November 22, 2025, as National Adoption Day and November 2025 as National Adoption Month to promote national awareness of adoption and the children awaiting families, celebrating children and families involved in adoption, and encouraging the people of the United States to secure safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.
  • S. Res. 514-A resolution designating November 2025 as ‘‘American Diabetes Month’’
  • S. Res. 515-• A resolution congratulating the Los Angeles Dodgers for winning the 2025 Major League Baseball World Series.

4:05 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

3:16 p.m. Majority Leader Thune spoke on the Artic Frost DOJ investigation of Senators. He then filed cloture on the following nominations:

  • David A. Bragdon to be US District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina.
  • Lindsey Ann Freeman to be US District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina.

The following nominations were confirmed en bloc:

  • Military Promotions Cal. #296 with the exception of Col. George H. Sebren, Jr.
  • Cal. #448, Cal. #491, Cal. #519, Cal. #542 through Cal. #549
  • All nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, with the exception of PN 89.

3:10 p.m. Senator Peters spoke on a statute related to the Artic Frost DOJ investigation.

3:05 p.m. Majority Leader Thune spoke on the separation of powers. He then asked unanimous consent for the Senate to agree to his proposed resolution related to a statue that allowed Senators to sue for damages from the Artic Frost DOJ investigation. Senator Heinrich spoke against this resolution and objected.

2:48 p.m. Senator Heinrich spoke on a provision in the recently passed Continuing Resolution related to phone records. He then asked unanimous consent for the Senate to pass H.R. 6019,  an bill to repeal certain provisions relating to notification to Senate offices regarding legal process on disclosure of Senate data, and for other purposes. Senator Graham spoke against H.R. 6019 and objected.

2:39 p.m. Senator Welch spoke on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Plan.

2:35 p.m. Senator Marshall received unanimous consent to pass S. 222, to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to allow schools that participate in the school lunch program to serve whole milk, and for other purposes.

2:22 p.m. Senators Marshall, Welch, Alsobrooks, and Boozman spoke on milk options at school lunches and in support of S. 222, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025.

2:21 p.m. By a vote of 51-43, the Senate passed H.J. Res. 130, the Lummis Buffalo CRA.

  • This was a party-line vote; Senators Fetterman, Kelly, Klobuchar, Mullin, Scott (SC), and Warren did not vote.

1:31 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.J. Res. 130, a joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to “Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment”.

12:58 p.m. Senator Young spoke about the United States Marine Corps.

12:54 p.m. Senator Moody spoke about Officer Andrew Hinds from River Beach Florida.

12:41 p.m. Senator McCormick spoke on the Smart OTC Act, which was included in the bi-partisan funding deal and health care.

12:20 p.m. Senator Warner spoke about the intelligence community and the DNI.

12:02 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about President Trump’s Truth Social posts, inflation, health care, and antisemitism.

11:39 a.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke on the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. He then spoke on US weapon sales to the UAE and his proposed Stand Up for Sudan Act. He asked unanimous consent that the Senate pass the Stand Up for Sudan Act; Senator Ernst objected.

11:10 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke on immigration.

11:03 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke on CNH factory closures in Iowa and on judicial nominees.

11:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

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The Senate will convene at 11:00 a.m. and following any Leader remarks will resume consideration of H.J.Res.130, a joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to “Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment”.

At approximately 1:45 p.m., the Senate will vote on passage of H.J.Res.130.