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7:43 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 14^th. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Jerry Edwards, Jr. to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana.

At 12:00 noon – one vote:

1. Motion to invoke cloture on the Edwards nomination.

Additional votes are expected during Thursday’s session.

During wrap-up:

• The Senate confirmed the following military promotions en bloc by voice vote: Exec. Cal. #90, 341, 343, 434 (except Col. Benjamin R. Jonsson), 437, and 438.

• The following bills were agreed to en bloc by unanimous consent:
  • S.265, SIREN Reauthorization Act
  • S.229 Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act
  • S.318 Save our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act
• The following resolutions were agreed to en bloc by unanimous consent:
  • S.Res.499, Sandra Day O’Connor
  • S.Res.500, National First-Generation College Celebration Day
  • S.Res.501, Legal Counsel
  • S.Res.502, Legal Counsel
• The following resolutions were agreed to en bloc by unanimous consent:
  • S.Res.499, Sandra Day O’Connor
  • S.Res.500, National First-Generation College Celebration Day
  • S.Res.501, Legal Counsel
  • S.Res.502, Legal Counsel

7:38 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer filed cloture on the following nominations:

• Christopher Charles Fonzone to be an Assistant Attorney General.
• Sara E. Hill to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

7:37 p.m. By a vote of 87-13, the Senate adopted the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act FY 2024. Senators Booker, Braun, Hawley, Lee, Lummis, Markey, Merkley, Paul, Sanders, Vance, Warren, Welch, and Wyden voted No.

6:46 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act FY 2024.

6:42 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on the NDAA.

6:41 p.m. By a tally of 65-35, the Senate agreed to the motion to waive all applicable points of order with respect to the Conference report to accompany H.R.2670, the National Defense Authorization Act. The Paul point of order fails. Senators voting No: Baldwin, Blackburn, Booker, Braun, Brown, Cantwell, Cramer, Daines, Durbin, Grassley, Hagerty, Hawley, Heinrich, Hirono, Hoeven, Johnson, Lee, Lujan, Lummis, Markey, Marshall, Menendez, Merkley, Paul, Sanders, Schmitt, Scott (FL), Tester, Tuberville, Van Hollen, Vance, Warnock, Warren, Welch, and Wyden.

5:49 p.m. The Senate began a vote on Senator Reed’s motion to waive the Paul Rule XXVIII scope point of order (FISA 702) to the Conference Report to accompany H.R.2670, National Defense Authorization Act FY24.

5:30 p.m. Senator Paul spoke on FISA.

5:04 p.m. Senator Lee spoke on the Senator Paul’s Point of order section 702.

5:03 p.m. Senator Paul raised a point of order against the conference report. Senator Reed then made a motion to waive.

4:51 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about gun violence. He then asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to pass S. 1819, 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2023. Senator Budd objected.

4:38 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on judicial nominations. He then asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to pass the following nominations. Senator Vance objected:

• Rebecca C. Lutzko, of Ohio, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
• April M. Perry, of Illinois, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois

4:15 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about facial recognition in airports.

3:38 p.m. The Senate confirmed by voice vote, the nomination of Nickolas Guertin to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

3:11 p.m. Senator Paul spoke on covid vaccines for Senate Pages and asked unanimous consent for the Senate to pass S. Res. 336, a resolution prohibiting the imposition of vaccination requirements relating to COVID-19 for Senate Pages. Senator Murphy objected.

2:41 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer got consent that at 5:00 p.m., Senator Paul will be recognized to make a point of order. Senator Reed will then be recognized to make a motion to waive.

The Senate will then vote on the following:

1. Reed motion to waive the point of order on the National Defense Authorization Act
2. Adoption of the Conference Report to National Defense Authorization Act.

1:59 p.m. Senator Crapo spoke on the NDAA.

1:50 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke defense policy and spending.

1:31 p.m. Senators Grassley and Moran spoke on organ donation.

1:35 p.m. Senator Carper spoke on the US Navy.

1:10 p.m. Senator Rosen spoke on abortions access.

12:57 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on student debt.

12:49 p.m. Senator Hyde-Smith spoke on border security.

12:45 p.m. Senator Budd spoke on Israeli hostages.

12:35 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the economy and border security.

12:29 p.m. Senator Ricketts spoke on the economy.

12:18 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke on the anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School and gun violence.

12:01 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.

11:20 a.m. Senator Hawley spoke on holding big tech accountable and asked unanimous consent to take up and pass S. 1993 regarding Section 230 of the Communications Act. Senator Cruz objected.

11:09 a.m. Senator Gillibrand spoke on Israeli hostages.

11:01 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Rounds spoke on the NDAA.

10:43 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the southern border.

10:32 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke on the southern border and the national security supplemental.

10:19 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on the national security supplemental package and the NDAA.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following any leader remarks will resume consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R.2670, the National Defense Authorization Act, post-cloture. Votes are expected during today’s session.

Cloture has been filed on the following nominations:

1. Jerry Edwards to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana.
2. Brandon Long to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

At a time to be determined the Senate will vote on confirmation of the following nomination:
1. Elizabeth Richard to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large.
2. Martin O’Malley to be Commissioner of Social Security.