7:00 p.m. The Senate adjourned on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. under the provisions of S.Res.739, as a mark of further respect to the memory of the late Senator John Seymour until 10:00am on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
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 11:15am, the Senate will vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #737 Evan Rikhye, of the Virgin Islands, to be Judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands for a term of ten years. Further votes are expected in the day.
In Tuesday’s session of the Senate:
Roll Call Votes
- Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #735 Sheria Akins Clarke, of South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina; invoked: 57-38.
- Confirmation of Executive Calendar #735 Sheria Akins Clarke, of South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina; confirmed: 52-38.
- Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #737 Evan Rikhye, of the Virgin Islands, to be Judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands for a term of ten years; invoked: 50-47.
- Motion to discharge S.J.Res.185, directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress (Kaine); discharged 50-47.
Legislative Business
Adopted the following resolutions:
S.Res.738 – Jewish American Heritage Month
S.Res.739 – Former Senator John Seymour
S.Res.740 – Motorcycle Awareness Month
Executive Business
Confirmed the following nomination:
NAVY
Executive Calendar #741 – Rear Adm. Douglas L. Williams to be Vice Admiral
6:50 p.m. Senator Welch spoke on American’s voting rights.
6:40 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on American’s voting rights.
6:15 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on American’s voting rights.
6:05 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke in favor of the voting rights.
5:46 p.m. Senator Padilla spoke on the shooting in California and voting rights.
5:44 p.m. By a vote of 50-47, the Senate discharged S.J. Res 185, Kaine War Powers Resolution from the Foreign Relations Committee.
Democrat voting against: Fetterman. Republicans voting in favor: Cassidy, Collins, Murkowski, Paul. Senators not voting: Cornyn, Tillis, Tuberville.
4:44 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to discharge from Foreign Relations Committee, S.J.Res.185, the Kaine War Powers Resolution regarding Iran.
4:39 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke on the Kaine war powers resolution.
4:27 p.m. Senator Baldwin spoke on the Kaine war powers resolution.
4:16 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke on the Kaine war powers resolution.
4:05 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke on his war powers resolution (Iran).
4:04 p.m. Senator Barrasso received unanimous consent that the post-cloture time with respect to the Rikhye nomination be expired and the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Democrat Leader tomorrow.
4:03 p.m. By a party-line vote of 50-47, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Evan Rikhye to be a Judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands for a term of ten years.
- Senators Cornyn, Tillis, and Tuberville did not vote.
2:57 p.m. The Senate began voting on cloture on the nomination of Evan Rikhye to be a Judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands for a term of ten years.
2:56 p.m. By a vote of 52-38, the Senate confirmed Sheria Clarke to be a District Judge for South Carolina.
- Democrats in favor: Durbin, Fetterman, Gallego, Hassan, Heinrich, Reed, Shaheen, and Whitehouse.
- Not voting: Bennet, Blackburn, Cornyn, Cramer, Hagerty, Hyde-Smith, Sheehy, Tillis, Tuberville, and Wicker.
2:10 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the confirmation of Sheria Akins Clarke to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina.
2:09 p.m. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to S.Res.738, Recognizing the significance of Jewish American Heritage Month and calling on American officials to counter Anti-Semitism.
2:04 p.m. Senator Rosen spoke on Jewish Americans.
2:02 p.m. Senator Scott (Fl) spoke on Jewish Americans.
2:00 p.m. The Senate has reconvened.
12:45 p.m. The Senate recessed for weekly caucus meetings.
12:44 p.m. By a vote of 57-38, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Sheria Akins Clarke to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina.
- Democratic Senators voting in favor: Durbin, Fetterman, Gallego, Hassan, Heinrich, Reed, Shaheen, and Whitehouse.
- Senators not voting: Bennet, Cornyn, Cramer, Tillis and Tuberville.
11:43 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the nomination of Sheria Akins Clarke to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina.
11:35 p.m. Senator Ricketts spoke on agriculture in Nebraska.
11:16 p.m. Senator Murray spoke on gun violence.
11:07 p.m. Senator Young spoke on the Merchant Marine.
10:54 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the White House east wing construction.
10:49 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on immigration.
10:38 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on the White House east wing construction and reconciliation, and later on Iran, election security and the shooting in San Diego on Monday.
10:17 a.m. Majority Leader Thune spoke on the last 500 days since January 2025 when the Republicans took the majority in the Senate and their priorities ahead.
10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke on foster youth.
10:00 a.m. The Senate has convened.
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The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #735, Sheria Akins Clarke, of South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina.
At 11:45 a.m., the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Clarke nomination.
Following the cloture vote on the Clarke nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the weekly conference meetings.
At 2:15 p.m., if cloture is invoked, the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes on the following:
1. Confirmation of the Clarke nomination.
2. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #737, Evan Rikhye, of the Virgin Islands, to be Judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands for a term of ten years.
Please note, further roll call votes are expected during Tuesday’s session of the Senate.
