5:19 p.m. The Senate adjourned at 5:19 p.m. until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Following Leader Remarks, the Senate will proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the nomination of Aaron Peterson, of Alaska, to be US District Judge for the District of Alaska, post-cloture.

11:30 a.m. – 2 votes:

1. Confirmation of the Peterson nomination.
2. Motion to invoke cloture on Megan Blair Benton, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri.

2:15 p.m. – 2 votes:

1. Motion to invoke cloture on Brian Charles Lea, of Tennessee, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee.
2. (If cloture is invoked) Confirmation of the Benton nomination.

5:10 p.m. Senator Banks spoke on “Tyler’s Law,” in relation to fentanyl regulation.

5:00 p.m. Majority Leader Thune wrapped up.

4:34 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on climate change.

4:11 p.m. Senator Warner paid tribute to Ambassador to Australia, Kevin Rudd.

4:06 p.m. Senator Ricketts spoke on appropriations.

3:45 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke on DHS appropriations.

3:32 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on election security.

3:30 p.m. Senator Cassidy paid tribute to a Officer Christopher Paul Ohlmeye of Louisiana.

3:29 p.m. By a vote of 55-39, the Senate invoked cloture on nomination of Aaron Christian Peterson to be United States District Judge for the District of Alaska.

• Democrats voting in favor: Durbin, Hassan, Shaheen, and Whitehouse.
• Senators not voting: Blumenthal, Kim, Klobuchar , Lee, Lujan, and McConnell

2:51 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Aaron Christian Peterson to be United States District Judge for the District of Alaska.

2:50 p.m. By a vote of 51-45, the Senate confirmed Nicholas Jon Ganjei to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.

• Party line vote with Senators Kim, Lujan, McConnell, and Paul not voting.

2:15 p.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of the nomination of Nicholas Jon Ganjei to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.

1:05 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m. today.

1:05 p.m. By a party-line vote of 49-44, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Nicholas Jon Ganjei to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.

• Senators not voting: Duckworth, Graham, Kim, Lujan, McConnell, Paul, and Tillis.

12:23 p.m. The Senate is now voting on motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Nicholas Jon Ganjei to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.

12:20 p.m. By a vote of 54-40, the Senate confirmed the nomination of David Clay Fowlkes to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas.

• Democrat Senators voting in favor: Durbin, Hassan, Kaine, Shaheen, and Whitehouse.
• Senators not voting: Kim, Lujan, McConnell, Moreno, Paul, and Tillis.

11:37 a.m. the Senate is now voting on confirmation of David Clay Fowlkes to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas.

11:35 a.m. Senator Cruz spoke in support of the nomination of Nicholas Jon Ganjei to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.

10:42 a.m. Senator Borrasso spoke on immigration and law enforcement.

10:31 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke on elections.

10:23 a.m. Majority Leader Thune spoke on taxes.

10:01 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the Israeli hostages.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of David Clay Fowlkes to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas, post cloture.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., the Senate is expected to proceed to two roll call votes relative to the following:

1. Confirmation of the nomination of David Clay Fowlkes to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas.
2. The motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Nicholas Jon Ganjei to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.

Following the vote on the Ganjei nomination, the Senate will recess to allow for weekly caucus meetings.

At approximately 2:15 p.m., the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes relative to the following:

1. Confirmation of the nomination of Nicholas Jon Ganjei to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.
2. The motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Aaron Christian Peterson to be United States District Judge for the District of Alaska.

If cloture is invoked on the Peterson nomination, there would be up to two hours of debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. This vote is possible during today’s session.

As a reminder, cloture was filed on the following nominations during yesterday’s session:

• Megan Blair Benton to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri.
• Brian Charles Lea to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee.