3:52 p.m. The Senate recessed and will reconvene at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 8. At 5:30, they will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Robert Chamberlin to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi.
Agreed to during wrap-up:
H. Con. Res. 62-use of Emancipation Hall
S. Res. 531-Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Act.
3:51 p.m. By unanimous consent the Senate action in relation to H.R. 3174 was vitiated.
3:30 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke about the Affordable Care Act and health care expenses.
3:20 p.m. Senator Thune sent to the desk S. Res. 532- Authorizing the en bloc consideration of certain nominations on the calendar. Will lie over one calendar day in order to be placed on the calendar.
3:15 p.m. Senator Thune filed cloture on the following nominations:
Cal. #571-Robert Chamberlin to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi
Cal. #572-William Crain to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana
Cal. #573-James Maxwell to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi
2:50 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the NDAA.
2:49 p.m. By a vote of 57-32, the Senate confirmed Susan Courtwright Rodriguez to be US District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina.
- Democrat and Independent Senators voting in favor: Coons, Durbin, Gallego, Hassan, Hirono, Kaine, Kelly, King (I), Klobuchar, Reed, & Rosen.
- Senators not voting: Daines, Graham, Hyde-Smith, Kennedy, Moody, Moran, Murphy, Schiff, Shaheen, Tuberville, & Whitehouse.
2:02 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Susan Rodriguez to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina.
2:02 p.m. The Senate did NOT invoked cloture on S. Res. 520, 43-37. This was a party line vote.
Senators not voting: Banks, Blumenthal, Cassidy, Cruz, Gallego, Graham, Kelly, King, McConnell, McCormick, Moody, Moran, Murphy, Ossoff, Sanders, Schiff, Scott (SC), Shaheen, Slotkin and Tuberville.
1:36 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on cloture on S.Res.520, en bloc consideration of certain nominations on the Executive Calendar.
12:19 p.m. Senator Bennet made the following parliamentary inquiries:
- Is it correct that the precedent of September 11, 2025, that established a majority vote threshold for cloture on an executive resolution that provided for the en bloc consideration of nominations excluded nominations at Level 1 of the Executive Schedule under 5 U.S.C. 5312 or Article 3 judges? The Parliamentarian confirmed this is correct.
- Is it correct that one of the nominations listed in S. Res. 520 includes Calendar No. 476, Sara Bailey, of Texas, to be Director of National Drug Control Policy, of which, that position is listed in 5 U.S.C. 5312, and therefore, the threshold for cloture on this vote would be a three-fifths (60-votes) majority? The Parliamentarian confirmed that is correct.
Senator Markey then objected to the Senate moving to Executive Session on the basis that the Bailey nomination is a Level 1 nomination on the Executive Calendar.
12:18 p.m. By a vote of 49-45, the Senate passed H.J.Res.131, the joint disapproval of the Biden Coastal Plain Program CRA (Murkowski). Senator Collins voted no. Senators Graham, Moran, Murphy, Schiff, Shaheen, and Tuberville did not vote.
11:32 a.m. The Senate is now voting on Passage of H.J.Res.131, regarding a rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to “Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision”.
11:25 a.m. Senator Hyde Smith spoke about CDL safety and immigration.
11:20 a.m. Senator Cantwell spoke against passage of H.J.Res.131, regarding a rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to “Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision”.
11:10 a.m. Senator Moody spoke about the shooting of two Natural Guard troops in Washington DC and violence against law enforcement officers.
10:59 a.m. Senator Markey spoke on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. He then spoke against passage of H.J.Res.131, regarding a rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to “Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision”.
10:48 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on ACA subsidies.
10:32 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke on his proposed bill to extend ACA subsidies. He then spoke on Secretary Hegseth and Signal messaging.
10:25 a.m. Majority Leader Thune spoke on nominations for the Trump administration.
10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke on farming.
10:00 a.m. The Senate is now in session.
The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and be in a period of morning business.
At 11:30 a.m. the Senate will proceed to a series of two votes—
- Passage of H.J.Res.131, regarding a rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to “Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision”.
- Cloture on S.Res.520, en bloc consideration of certain nominations on the Executive Calendar.
At 1:45 p.m. the Senate will proceed to one vote—
- Confirmation of Executive Calendar #475 Susan Rodriguez to be a District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina.
