Friday, January 30, 2026

7:16 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 3:00 p.m. on Monday February 2nd 2026.

At 5:30 p.m. the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on David Clay Fowlkes to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas.

6:57 p.m. Senator Murray spoke on the appropriations process and DHS funding.

6:47 p.m. Senator Coons spoke on the appropriations process.

6:45 p.m. Majority Leader Thune wrapped up. He filed cloture on the following nominations:

  • Calendar #610, David Clay Fowkles for United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas
  • Calendar #611, Nicholas Jon Ganjei for United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas
  • Calendar #614, Aaron Christian Peterson to be United States District Judge for the District of Alaska

The following nominations have been confirmed en bloc by unanimous consent: Calendar #625, 626, 627, 628 (with the exception of Brigadier General Curt E. Gibbs and Eric S. Strong), #629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, and 644.

6:41 p.m. by a vote of 71-29, the Senate passed H.R. 7148.

  • Democrats voting in favor: Baldwin, Blumenthal, Cantwell, Coons, Cortez Masto, Durbin, Fetterman, Gillibrand, Hassan, Hickelooper, Hirono, Kaine, King-Independent, Murray, Ossoff, Peters, Rosen, Schatz, Schumer, Shaheen, Warner, Welch and Whitehouse.
  • Republicans voting against: Cruz, Johnson, Lee, Paul and Scott (FL).

6:22 p.m. The Senate began voting on passage of H.R 7148.

6:18 p.m. Senator Collins spoke on the appropriations package.

6:17 p.m. By a party line vote of 47-52, the Senate did not agree to waive the Budget Act points of order with respect to the Merkley amendment #4287, to prevent the deferral or recission of appropriations within 90 days of their expiration Senator Hagerty did not vote.

6:03 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to waive the Budget Act points of order with respect to the Merkley amendment #4287.

6:00 p.m. By a vote of 49-51, the Senate did not adopt the Sanders amendment #4290. GOP Senators voting in favor: Collins and Murkowski.

5:47 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to adopt Sanders amendment #4290. (60-vote threshold)

5:47 p.m. Senator Britt spoke against the Sanders amendment #4290.

5:46 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on health care.

5:45 p.m. By a vote of 58-42, the Senate tabled the Lee amendment #4286.

  • GOP voting to table: Boozman, Capito, Collins, Cramer, Graham, Hoeven, McConnell, Moran, Murkowski, Tillis and Wicker.

5:30 p.m. The Senate began voting on motion to table the Lee amendment #4286.

5:26 p.m. By a vote of 58-42, the Senate tabled the Lee amendment #4234.

  • GOP voting to table: Boozman, Capito, Collins, Graham, Hyde-Smith, McConnell, Moran, Murkowski, Rounds, Tillis and Wicker.

5:12 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to table the Lee amendment #4234 regarding a specific earmark.

5:10 p.m. By a vote of 67-33, the Senate agreed to the motion to table the Lee amendment #4236 regarding earmarks.

  • GOP voting to table: Boozman, Britt, Capito, Collins, Cotton, Fischer, Graham, Husted, Hyde-Smith, Kennedy, McConnell, Moran, Mullin, Murkowski, Rounds, Sheehy, Sullivan, Thune, Tillis and Wicker.

4:52 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to table the Lee amendment #4236 regarding earmarks.

4:49 p.m. The Schmitt amendment #4241 was defeated on a voice vote.

4:46 p.m. By a vote of 32-67, the Senate did not adopt the Paul amendment #4272, to eliminate funding for refugee and entrant assistance, to H.R. 7148, Minibus Appropriations.

  • Not voting: Cassidy.
  • Republicans voting no: Boozman, Capito, Collins, Ernst, Fischer, Graham, Grassley, Hyde-Smith, Lankford, McConnell, Moran, Mullin, Murkowski, Ricketts, Rounds, Sullivan, Thune, Tillis, Wicker, and Young.

4:01 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the Paul amendment #4272 to H.R. 7148, Minibus Appropriations.

3:57 p.m. Senator Murray spoke on the appropriations process.

3:55 p.m. Senator Capito spoke against the Paul amendment #4272.

3:52 p.m. Senator Paul called up and spoke on his amendment #4272. Senator Baldwin spoke agains the Paul amendment.

3:42 p.m. Majority Leader Thune got unanimous consent for the following:

The Senate will now proceed to up to 8 roll call votes in relation to the following in relation to H.R.7148, Appropriations Minibus (DOD, FSGG, LHHS, T-HUD, Homeland Security, SFOPS):

  • 1. Paul amendment #4272 to eliminate funding for refugee and entrant assistance.
  • 2. Schmitt amendment #4241 to eliminate the National Endowment for Democracy funding
  • 3. Lee amendment #4236 to strike all earmarks
  • 4. Lee amendment #4234 to strike the earmark for the Community and Training Center by the New Immigrant Community Empowerment
  • 5. Lee amendment $4286 to eliminate funding for the United States African Development Foundation.
  • 6. Sanders amendment #4290 to rescind certain amounts appropriated for U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and certain changes to Medicaid (60-vote affirmative threshold)
  • 7. Merkley amendment #4287 to prevent the deferral or recission of appropriations within 90 days of their expiration
  • 8. Passage of Cal. #302, H.R.7148, Appropriations Minibus (DOD, FSGG, LHHS, T-HUD, Homeland Security, SFOPS), as amended. (60-vote affirmative threshold)

2:58 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on authoritarianism.

2:43 p.m. Senator McConnell spoke on government funding.

12:32 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke on government funding.

12:21 p.m. Senator Tillis spoke on government funding.

11:48 a.m. Senator Graham spoke on government funding. He then yielded for a question from Senator Schmitt.

11:31 a.m. Senator Schmitt spoke on immigration enforcement.

11:23 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke on government funding and ICE.

11:00 a.m. The Senate is now in session and has resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to  H.R.7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.

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The Senate will convene at 11:00 a.m. and following any leader remarks will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to  H.R.7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.

Votes are expected during today’s session.