Thursday, December 15, 2022

The Senate adjourned at 10:01 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 19. Following Leader Remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #1301 Martin J. Gruenberg to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

One vote is expected at 5:30 p.m.

By unanimous consent request in wrap-up: at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #1301 Martin J. Gruenberg to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of six years. Then, following disposition of the Gruenberg nomination (#1301), the Senate will vote on confirmation of:

  • Executive Calendar #1298 Travis Hill to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of six years.
  • Executive Calendar #1299 Travis Hill to be Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
  • Executive Calendar #1300 Jonathan McKernan to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for the remainder of the term expiring May 31, 2024.
  • Executive Calendar #1302 Martin J. Gruenberg, of Maryland, to be Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of five years.
  • Executive Calendar #1297 Kimberly Ann McClain to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

During wrap-up:

Confirmed the following nominations en bloc by voice vote:

  • Executive Calendar #1175 Kendra Davis Briggs to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.
  • Executive Calendar #1176 Errol Rajesh Arthur to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.
  • Executive Calendar #1177 Leslie A. Meek to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.
  • Executive Calendar #1178 Carl Ezekiel Ross to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.
  • Executive Calendar #1179 Laura E. Crane to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.
  • Executive Calendar #1180 Veronica M. Sanchez to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.
  • Executive Calendar #1181 Vijay Shanker to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years

Confirmed the following nominations en bloc by unanimous consent:

  • Military Promotions: Executive Calendar #1303-1311, and all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force.

Confirmed the following nominations en bloc by voice vote:

  • Executive Calendar #1259 Kathleen Ann Kavalec to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Romania.
  • Executive Calendar #1260 Jessica Davis Ba to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire.
  • Executive Calendar #1294 Henry C. Leventis to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee for the term of four years.
  • Executive Calendar #1295 Michael D. Black to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio for the term of four years.
  • Executive Calendar #1296 Catrina A. Thompson to be United States Marshal for the Middle District of North Carolina for the term of four years.

S. 688 BOLIVAR Act, as amended, passed by voice vote.

S. 2793 SMART Leasing Act, as amended, passed by unanimous consent.

S. Con. Res. 16 Commemorating the 30th anniversary of Operation Provide Comfort, as amended, was adopted by unanimous consent.

H.R. 681 For the relief of Rebecca Trimble, adopted by unanimous consent.

S. 5168 Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act of 2022, passed by unanimous consent.

S. Res. 865 AZ Lumberjacks, adopted by unanimous consent.

H.R. 4250 War Crimes Rewards Expansion Act, passed by unanimous consent.

H.R. 7181 Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022, passed by unanimous consent.

S. 3957 STREAM Act, as amended, passed by voice vote.

H.R. 2724 VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act, passed by unanimous consent.

H.Con.Res.121 Correcting resolution to H.R.7776, and H.Con.Res.123 Correcting resolution to H.R.1437, were agreed to by unanimous consent during today’s session.

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9:47 p.m. By a vote of 71-19, the Senate agreed to the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437, 1-week Continuing Resolution (December 23rd). Senators voting no: Blackburn, Braun, Cramer, Crapo, Daines, Ernst, Fischer, Hawley, Hoeven, Johnson, Lankford, Lee, Lummis, Marshall, Paul, Risch, Rounds, Sasse, and Scott (FL). Senators not voting: Barrasso, Blunt, Burr, Cruz, Hagerty, Kelly, Moran, Scott (SC), Tillis, and Toomey.

8:33 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437, 1-week Continuing Resolution (December 23rd). 60 vote affirmative threshold.

8:31 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on the CR.

8:30 p.m. By a vote of 35-56, the Senate did not agree to the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437 with the Lee amendment #6541, as modified.

8:14 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437 with Lee amendment #6541.

8:13 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke against Lee amendment.

8:12 p.m. Senator Lee spoke on his amendment #6541.

8:12 p.m. By a vote 45-47 the motion to concur with the Scott (FL) amendment #6540 was not agreed to. Democrats voting yes: Senators Sinema and Tester. Senators not voting: Barrasso, Blunt, Burr, Cruz, Hagerty, Kelly, Murkowski, and Tillis.

7:47 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437 with Scott (FL) amendment #6540 (60-vote affirmative threshold).

7:39 p.m. By a vote of 83-11, the Senate agreed to the motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R. 7776 NDAA FY23.Senators voting no: Booker, Braun, Hawley, Lee, Lummis, Markey, Merkley, Paul, Sanders, Warren and Wyden.

7:16 p.m. The Senate began a vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R. 7776 NDAA FY23.

7:12 p.m. Senators Reed and Inhofe spoke on the NDAA.

7:10 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer announced three votes in relation to H.R. 1437, 1-week Continuing Resolution (December 23rd) following the final vote on NDAA:

1. Motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437 with Scott (FL) amendment #6540 (60-vote affirmative threshold)

2. Motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437 with Lee amendment #6541, as modified.

3. Motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437, 1-week Continuing Resolution (December 23rd), as amended, if amended (60-vote affirmative threshold).

7:10 p.m. By a vote of 40-54 the amendment was not agreed to. Republicans voting no: Cassidy, Collins, Romney, and Rounds. Senators not voting: Barrasso, Blunt, Burr, Cruz, Hagerty, and Tillis.

6:42 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Johnson/Cruz amendment #6526 (vaccine related discharges). 60 vote threshold.

6:35 p.m. By a vote of 47-47, the cloture motion was not agreed to and the amendment was withdrawn.

5:50 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the house amendment to H.R. 7776 (NDAA) with the Manchin amend #6513 (permitting access).

5:30 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke about his amendment regarding permitting access.

4:56 p.m. Senator Sullivan made a motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 7776, with amendment 6522. Senator Durbin spoke about why he was against it.

4:55 p.m. Senator Schumer announced that there will be 3 votes at approximately 5:45 p.m.

  • Cloture on the motion to concur in the house amendment to H.R. 7776 (NDAA) with the Manchin amend #6513 (permitting access)
  • Adoption of the Johnson-Cruz amendment #6526 (vaccine related military discharges)-60 vote threshold.
  • Motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R. 7776 (NDAA), as amended-60 vote threshold.

3:53 p.m. Senators Casey, Collins, Manchin and Van Hollen spoke about Senator Toomeys retirement.

3:29 p.m. Senator Toomey started his farewell address.

3:16 p.m. RL McConnell spoke about Senator Toomeys retirement.

2:57 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer filled the amendment tree with regards to the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437, 1-week Continuing Resolution (December 23).

2:45 p.m. By a vote of 75-20, the Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437, a 1-week Continuing Resolution, (December 23rd). Senators voting no: Blackburn, Braun, Cramer, Crapo, Daines, Ernst, Fischer, Hagerty, Hawley, Hoeven, Johnson, Lee, Lummis, Marshall, Paul, Risch, Rounds, Sasse, Scott (FL), and Scott (SC). Senators not voting: Barrasso, Blunt, Burr, Cruz, and Tillis.

2:10 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to proceed to the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.1437, 1-Week Continuing Resolution (December 23rd).

1:37 p.m. Senator Baldwin spoke in support of the nomination of Laura Taylor-Kale to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense (New Position). She then asked unanimous consent for the Senate to confirm the nomination of Laura Taylor-Kale. Senator Sullivan objected.

1:36 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke in support of the nomination of PN#2451 Jay T. Snyder to be a Member of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy and asked unanimous consent for the Senate to discharge and confirm the Snyder nomination. Senator Risch objected.

1:21 p.m. Senators Heinrich and Lujan paid tribute to Medal of Honor Recipient Staff Sergeant Hiroshi Miyamura who recently passed away.

1:07 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on Title 42 and the southern border.

12:52 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the NDAA.

12:51 p.m. By a vote of 76-20, the Senate confirmed Musetta Tia Johnson to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Senators voting no: Blackburn, Braun, Cassidy, Cotton, Crapo, Daines, Hagerty, Hawley, Johnson, Lee, Lummis, Marshall, Paul, Risch, Rubio, Sasse, Scott (FL), Scott (SC), Shelby, and Tuberville. Senators not voting: Borrasso, Blunt, Cruz and Tillis.

11:57 a.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the Johnson nomination.

11:34 a.m. Senator Lankford spoke on his religious exception bill and asked UC to take up and pass S 401. Senator Murray objected.

10:57 a.m. Senator Lee spoke about mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for service members.

10:47 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the retirement of Senators Shelby and Toomey.

10:31 a.m. RL McConnell spoke about the NDAA and the omnibus bill.

10:18 a.m. ML Schumer spoke about National Security, the NDAA and the omnibus bill.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following any leader remarks will proceed to consideration of the nomination of Musetta Johnson to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

At 12:00 noon the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Johnson nomination.

Further votes are expected.