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Friday, December 17, 2021

4:04 a.m. The Senate adjourned.

4:00 a.m. Senator Schatz came back to announce the pro forma schedule:
Monday December 20th at 5:00 p.m.
Thursday December 23rd at 11:00 a.m.
Monday December 27th at 4:30 p.m.
Thursday December 30th at 8:30 a.m.

2: 49 a.m. Senator Schatz came back for the second wave, confirming the following nominations:
Armando Bonilla to be a Judge of the Court of Federal Claims
Carolyn Lerner to be a Judge of the US Court of Federal Claims
Catherine McLaughlin to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service
Lynnette Overby to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities
Ismaiel Ahmed to be a member of the National Council on the Arts.
Huascar Medina to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts
Fagan Harris to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service
Matthew S. Axelrod, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce
Maria Jackson to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts
Dennis DeConcini to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation
Joseph M. Green to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation

2:34 a.m. Senator Schatz did the first wave of wrap up, passing the following:
S. 1760, designating the community based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
S. 2514, renaming the Provo Veterans Center in Orem Utah after the Col Gail S Halvorsen Candy Bomber Veterans Center
H 1192 regarding Puerto Rico Oversight Management and Economic Stability Act
S 2551, requiring the Office of Management and Budget to establish or otherwise provide an artificial intelligence training program for the acquisition workforce.
S. 3437, regarding Covid related bankruptcy provisions through March 2022 (voice vote)
HR 1664, authorizing the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia
S Res 483, regarding the December 6th 2019 attack in Pensacola Florida
S. Con Res 24 regarding enrollment corrections to HR 1605
S Res 447, celebrating the 125 anniversary of the national grain and feed association

2:11 a.m. By a vote of 42-25, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Holly A. Thomas to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. This was a party line vote.

1:45 a.m. Now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #572, Gabriel P. Sanchez to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.

1:43 a.m. The Senate confirmed the Emanuel nomination by a vote of 48-21.

Republican Senators voting Yes: Blunt, Collins, Grassley, Haggerty, Sasse, Sullivan, Thune and Young.

Democrats voting No: Senators Markey, Merkley and Warren.

1:31 a.m. The Senate is voting on confirmation of Rahm Emanuel to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Japan.

1:27 a.m. The Senate confirmed by voice vote:

  • Julissa Reynoso Pantaleon, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Principality of Andorra.
  • Larry Edward Andre, Jr., a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the US to the Federal Republic of Somalia.
  • Elizabeth Moore Aubin, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the US to People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.
  • Maria E. Brewer a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the US to the Kingdom of Lesotho.
  • Christopher Lamora, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Cameroon.
  • Tulinabo S. Mushingi, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Angola.
  • Eugene S. Young, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of the Congo.
  • Michele Jeanne Sison, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Ambassador, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (International Organization Affairs).
  • Marc Evans Knapper, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
  • John Bass to be an Under Secretary of State for Management
  • Erik Ramanathan to be Ambassador to Sweden
  • Michael Adler to be Ambassador to Belgium
  • Marc Stanley to be Ambassador to Argentina
  • Mark Brzezinski to be Ambassador to Poland
  • Jamie Harpootlian to be Ambassador to Slovenia
  • David Gilmour to be Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea
  • Brian Shukan to be Ambassador to Benin
  • Elizabeth Fitzsimmons to be Ambassador to the Togolese Republic
  • Patricia Mahoney to be Ambassador to the Central African Republic
  • Julie Chung to be Ambassador to Sri Lanka
  • Peter Haas to be Ambassador to Bangladesh
  • Christopher P. Lu, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform, with the rank of Ambassador.
  • Christopher P. Lu to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the U.N., during his tenure of service as Representative of the US to the U.N. for U.N. Management and Reform.
  • Rufus Gifford, of Massachusetts, to be Chief of Protocol, and to have the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service.
  • Marcela Escobari, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.
  • Alexia Marie Gabrielle Latortue, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
  • Steven C. Bondy, of New Jersey, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
  • Michael Raynor, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Senegal.
  • Adam Scheinman, of Virginia, to be Special Representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation, with the rank of Ambassador.
  • Sharon L. Cromer, of New York, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of The Gambia.
  • Troy Damian Fitrell, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Guinea.
  • Marc Ostfield, of Pennsylvania, a Career Member of the Senior Executive Service, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Paraguay.
  • Cynthia Ann Telles, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Costa Rica.
  • Jack A. Markell, of Delaware, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the rank of Ambassador.
  • Kent Doyle Logsdon, of Pennsylvania, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Moldova.
  • Caryn R. McClelland, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Brunei Darussalam.
  • Michael J. Murphy, of New York, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Majority Leader Schumer announced on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Sanchez nomination. At a time to be determined the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Thomas nomination. At a time to be determined before January 14, 2022, the Senate will vote on the Cruz Nord Stream 2 bill with a 60 vote affirmative threshold.

1:27 a.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Mary Katherine Dimke by a vote of 47-23 to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington.

12:36 a.m. The Senate is voting on confirmation of the Dimke nomination.

12:35 a.m. By a vote of 47-23, the Senate invoked cloture on the Dimke nomination.

12:21 a.m. The Senate began a vote on cloture on the nomination of Mary Katherine Dimke, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington.

12:20 p.m. By a vote of 49-21, the Senate confirmed the Menendez nomination.

12:07 a.m. The Senate began a vote on confirmation of the nomination of Katherine Marie Menendez to be United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota.

12:04 p.m. ML Schumer announced that Senator Leahy cast his 17,000th vote. Senator Leahy spoke on this accomplishment.

12:04 a.m. By a vote of 49-21, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Katherine Menendez. Senators Collins, Grassley, Kennedy, Murkowski and Tillis vote in favor.

11:52 p.m. The Senate is voting on cloture on Katherine Marie Menendez to be United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota.

11:52 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Thurston nomination by a vote of 46-24.

11:45 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on the nomination of Jennifer L. Thurston to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California.

11:22 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on cloture on the nomination of Jennifer L. Thurston to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California. The vote was agreed to by a roll call vote of 46-24.

11:21 p.m. By a vote of 44-25, the Senate confirmed the Kumar nomination.

11:15 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on confirmation of the nomination of Shalina D. Kumar to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.

10: 55 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Shalina D. Kumar to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. The motion was agreed to by a roll call vote of 45-25.

10:35 p.m. The Senate is voting on the nomination of Executive Calendar #487 Jane M. Beckering to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Michigan.

10:13 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #487 Jane M. Beckering to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Michigan. The vote was agreed to by a roll call vote of 46-24.

10:12 p.m, By a vote of 46-24, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California.

9:50 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on the confirmation of Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California.

9:22 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #574 Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California. The vote was agreed to by a vote of 47-24.

9:22 p.m. By a vote of 45-26, the Senate confirmed the nomination of David Herrera Urias to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico.

8:53 p.m. The Senate began a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #580, David Herrera Urias to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico.

8:52 p.m. By a vote of 45-25, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of David Herrera Urais to be U.S. Dirstrict Judge for the District of New Mexico. This was a party line vote.

Not voting: Senators Barrasso, Blackburn, Blunt, Burr, Capito, Cornyn, Cramer, Daines, Ernst, Feinstein, Fischer, Graham, Hagerty, Hyde-Smith, Inhofe, Johnson, Kaine, Lummis, McConnell, Moran, Ossoff, Paul, Portman, Risch, Romney, Rounds, Sanders, Shelby, Sinema and Toomey.

8:31 p.m. The Senate is currently voting the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of David Herrera Urais to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico.

7:45 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #579 Jinsook Ohta to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California. The vote was confirmed by a vote of 47-24.

5:48 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke about nominations.

5:46 p.m. By a vote of 47-25, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Jinsook Ohta to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California. Senators Collins and Murkowski voted yes.

Not voting: Senators Barrasso, Blackburn, Burr, Capito, Cornyn, Cramer, Daines, Ernst, Feinstein, Fischer, Graham, Hyde-Smith, Inhofe, Johnson, Kaine, Lummis, McConnell, Moran, Ossoff, Paul, Portman, Risch, Romney, Rounds, Sanders, Shelby, Sinema and Toomey.

5:09 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on cloture on Executive Calendar #579 Jinsook Ohta to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California.

5:08 p.m. By a vote of 48-25 the Senate confirmed Linda Lopez to be US District Judge for the Southern District of CA

Republican Senators Collins and Murkowski voted yes.

Not voting: Senators Barrasso, Blackburn, Burr, Capito, Cornyn, Cramer, Daines, Ernst, Fischer, Feinstein, Graham, Hyde-Smith, Inhofe, Johnson, Kaine, Lummis, McConnell, Moran, Ossoff, Paul, Portman, Risch, Romney, Rounds, Sanders, Shelby, and Toomey.

4:23 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #577 Linda Lopez to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California.

4:15 p.m. Senator Padilla spoke on judicial nominations.

4:06 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke on Russian and Ukraine.

3:05 p.m. Senator Reed paid tribute to General Ray Odierno.

2:55 p.m. Senator Murkowski paid tribute to a former military fellow on her staff.

2:45 p.m. Senator Coons also spoke on the advancement of ALS treatment.

2:35 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke on the advancement of ALS treatment.

2:25p.m. The Senate is currently debating the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Linda Lopez to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California was agreed to by a roll call vote of 47-30. At approximately 4:25pm, if all 2 hours of debate is used, the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes relative to the following:

  • Confirmation of the nomination of Linda Lopez to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California.
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Jinsook Ohta to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California.

2:25 p.m. The motion to invoke cloture on Linda Lopez to be US District Judge for the Southern District of California was agreed to by a vote of 47-30,

Senators not voting: 1. Burr 2. Capito 3. Cotton 4. Cramer 5. Daines 6. Ernst 7. Feinstein 8. Fischer 9. Inhofe 10. Johnson 11 Lummis 12 McConnell 13 Moran 14 Ossof 15 Paul 16 Peters 17 Portman 18 Risch 19 Rounds 20 Sanders 21 Shelby 22 Warner

1:26 p.m. by a vote of 48 to 31, the Gawande nomination was confirmed. Senator Collins, Barrasso and Murkowski voted with the majority.

12:25 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke in support of the nominations of Shalina D. Kumar to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan and Jane M. Beckering to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Michigan.

11:31 a.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about nominations, the supply chain, vaccine mandates and voting rights.

10:59 a.m. Senator Kennedy spoke paid tribute to two people from Louisiana.

10:47 a.m. Senator Menendez spoke about nominations.

10:46 a.m. By a vote of 49 to 31, the Gawande nomination was confirmed. Senators Collins, Barrasso and Murkowski voted with the majority.

10:00 a.m. Cloture vote began on the nomination of Atul Gawande to be an Assistant Administrator of USAID.

9:51 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer discussed nominations, voting rights and “build back better.”

9:47 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer filed cloture on the nomination of Holly Thomas to be a circuit court judge for the 9th circuit.

9:30 a.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Atul Gawande to be an Assistant Administrator of the USAID with a cloture vote on the nomination to occur at 10:00 a.m. 

Further roll call votes are expected throughout the day. 

Cloture has also been filed on the following:
1. Linda Lopez to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California.
2. Jinsook Ohta to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California.
3. David Urias to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico.
4. Maame Frimpong to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California.
5. Jane Beckering to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Michigan.
6. Shalina Kumar to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.
7. Jennifer Thurston to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California.
8. Katherine Menendez to be United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota.
9. Mary Dimke to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington.
10. Julissa Pantaleon to be Ambassador to Spain and Andorra.
11. Rahm Emanuel to be Ambassador to Japan.
12. Jack Markell to be Representative of the United States of America to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
13. Bathsheba Crocker to be Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations.
14. Mark Gitenstein to be Representative of the United States of America to the European Union.
15. Denise Bauer to be Ambassador to the French Republic and Monaco.
16. Claire Cronin to be Ambassador to Ireland.
17. Marcela Escobari to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.
18. Marc Evans Knapper to be Ambassador to Vietnam.
19. Rufus Gifford to be Chief of Protocol with the rank of Ambassador.
20. Gabriel Sanchez, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.