Thursday, December 22, 2022

6:06 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene for pro forma sessions on the following dates:

  • Friday 12/23 11:00 a.m.
  • Tuesday 12/27 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday 12/30 9:30 a.m.
  • Tuesday 1/3 11:30 a.m.

When the Senate adjourns on January 3 it will reconvene at 12:00 noon for the swearing in of new Senators.

5:55 p.m. The following nominations were confirmed en bloc:

  • Cal. #763-Rebecca Jones Gaston to be Commissioner on Children, Youth and Families, HHS
  • Cal. #1153-Milancy Danielle Harris to be a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense
  • Cal. #1169-Jose Emilio Esteban to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety
  • PN 2225-Inspector General of the National Reconnaissance Office

The following were passed by unanimous consent:

  • S. 5357-compensation for victims of Libyan state sponsored terrorism
  • S. Res. 785-Oct. 30, 2022 as a day of remembrance for workers of the Nuclear Weapons Program
  • H.R. 1082-to study the incidents of fatal and non fatal assaults in for-hire vehicles
  • S. 4221-Save our Seas Act
  • S. 4105-certain liquidations of new vehicle inventory
  • S. 3046- a bill to codify the authority of the Secretary of Ag. and Sec. of Interior to conduct certain land scale restoration
  • S. 2708-greater consultation between the federal government and other governing bodies
  • S. 2524-Alaska settle claims act
  • S. 3428-require the Sec. of Energy to establish a program
  • S. 3873-establish the outdoor music amphitheater in Galax, VA as the Rick Boucher

3:40 p.m. The following were passed/agreed to by unanimous consent:

  • S. Con. Res. 51-a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 2617
  • H.R. 4373-making appropriations for the Dept. of State and Foreign Ops with Leahy substitute-short term CR
  • S. Con. Res. 52-correction on the enrollment of H.R. 4373

3:34 p.m. Senator Schumer paid tribute to two departing staffers.

2:17 p.m. By a vote of 68-29, the Senate agreed to the motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R. 2617, the legislative vehicle for the Consolidated Appropriations Act FY2023, with the Senate amendment #6552, as amended.

2:00 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.2617, legislative vehicle for the Consolidated Appropriations Act FY2023, with Senate amendment #6552, as amended. (60-vote affirmative threshold)

1:55 p.m. By a vote of 93-4, the Senate adopted the Menendez-Cotton amend #6617 (Fairness for 9/11 Families)

1:40 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of Menendez-Cotton amendment #6617 (Fairness for 9/11 Families).

1:37 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke supporting the Menendez-Cotton amendment #6617 to improve the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act.

1:36 p.m. By a vote of 90-6, the Senate adopted the Gillibrand amendment #6607 (9/11 Health Program Supplemental)

Senators voting against: Blackburn, Daines, Johnson, Lee, Paul, and Scott (SC).

1:21 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Gillibrand amend #6607 (World Trade Center Health Program Supplemental Fund).

1:19 p.m. By a vote of 88-8 the Senate adopted Klobuchar-Lee amendment #6597.

1:08 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the Klobuchar-Lee amendment #6597 (Merger Filing Fee Modernization).

1:08 p.m. Senator Paul spoke on the Klobuchar-Lee amendment #6597.

1:06 p.m. Senators Klobuchar and Lee spoke on the Klobuchar-Lee amendment #6597

1:06 p.m. By a vote of 92-5, the Senate adopted the Merkley amendment #6595.

12:52 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the Merkley amendment #6595 (PUMP Act)

12:51 p.m. Senators Merkley and Murkowski spoke on the Merkley amendment #6595 (PUMP Act).

12:50 p.m. The Senate adopted the Graham amendment #6596 (Ukraine) by voice vote.

12:49 p.m. Senators Graham and Whitehouse spoke on Graham amendment #6596.

12:48 p.m. The Senate adopted the Padilla-Cornyn amendment #6588 by voice vote.

12:47 p.m. Senators Padilla and Cornyn spoke on the Padilla-Cornyn amendment #6588.

12:45 p.m. By a vote of 73-24, the Senate adopted the Cassidy amendment #6558 (Pregnant Workers Fairness Act).

12:31 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the Cassidy amendment #6558.

12:28 p.m. Senators Casey, Cassidy and Schumer spoke on the Cassidy amendment #6558 to eliminate discrimination and promote women’s health and economic security by ensuring reasonable workplace accommodations for workers whose ability to perform the functions of a job are limited by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition.

12:28 p.m. By a vote of 40-57, the Senate did not agree to the Braun amendment #6569 to Cassidy amendment #6558.

12:16 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on Braun amendment #6569 (to eliminate a waiver of State immunity).

12:14 p.m. Senator Braun spoke on his amendment #6569.

12:13 p.m. By a vote of 44-53, the Senate did not adopt the Lankford amend #6577 (to establish a rule of construction relating to religious entities) to Cassidy amendment #6558.

12:04 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the Lankford amendment #6577.

12:02 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke on the Lankford amendment #6577

12:01 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on his amendment #6577.

12:00 p.m. The Senate adopted Lee amendment #6576 (re: Lt. Alkonis) by voice vote.

11:59 a.m. Senator Lee spoke in support of his amendment #6576.

11:57 a.m. By a vote of 47-50, the Senate did not adopt the Lee amendment #6563.

11:40 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the Lee amendment #6563.

11:39 a.m. Senator Lee spoke supporting his amendment #6563 (re: Title 42).

11:38 a.m. By a vote of 10-87, the Senate did not agree to the Sinema-Tester amendment #6621 (re: Title 42).

11:30 a.m. The Senate began a vote on the Sinema-Tester amendment #6621 to appropriate amounts for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, refugee and entrant assistance, and other Federal agencies.

11:27 a.m. By a vote of 47-50, the Senate did not adopt the Johnson amendment #6559 to restrict the use of Federal funds appropriated to the Department of Homeland Security for the transportation of illegal aliens within the United States.

11:18 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the Johnson amendment #6559.

11:17 a.m. Senator Murphy spoke on Johnson amendment #6559.

11:16 a.m. Senator Johnson spoke on his amendment #6559.

11:15 a.m. By a vote of 34-63, the Senate did not adopt the Johnson amendment #6555.

11:07 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the Johnson amendment #6555.

11:05 a.m. Senator Johnson spoke on his amendment #6555 eliminating all earmarks in the bill.

11:04 a.m. By a vote 34-63, the Senate did not agree to the Paul amendment #6561.

10:53 a.m. The Senate began a vote on adoption of Paul amendment #6561 in relation to the House message to accompany H.R.2617, Consolidated Appropriations Act FY2023. (raising threshold to waive the Budget Act) (60-vote affirmative threshold).

10:52 By a vote of 65-31, the Paul Budget Point of Order fails with respect to H.R. 2617 (legislative vehicle for the Omnibus)

10:38 a.m. The Senate is currently voting on the Sanders motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the House Message to accompany H.R. 2617 (legislative vehicle for the Omnibus).

10:36 a.m. Senator Paul raised a budget point of order with respect to the Omnibus (paygo) and Senator Sanders made a motion to waive the Budget Act.

10:36 a.m. By a vote of 22-73, the Senate did not agree to S. 5355 the Scott (FL) Disaster Relief bill. Senators voting yes: Blackburn, Blunt, Braun, Cassidy, Crapo, Cruz, Daines, Hagerty, Hawley, Hyde-Smith, Johnson, Kennedy, Lummis, Risch, Rubio, Scott (FL), Scott (SC), Sullivan, Tillis, Tuberville, Wicker, and Young. Senators not voting: Barrasso, Burr, Cramer, Hoeven, Kaine, and Sasse.

9:59 a.m. The Senate is currently voting on passage of S. 5355 the Scott (FL) Disaster Relief bill.

9:59 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke on Scott (FL)’s Disaster Relief bill.

9:57 a.m. Senator Scott (FL) spoke on his bill S. 5355 Disaster Relief

9:45 a.m. ML Schumer announced that the Senate will vote shortly on the following:

  1. Passage of Scott (FL) S. 5355 (60 votes affirmative threshold)
  2. Paul motion to waive the Budget Act (if raised, 60-votes affirmative threshold)
  3. Paul Amendments #6561 (60-vote affirmative threshold)
  4. Johnson Amendment #6555 (simple majority)
  5. Johnson Amendment #6559 (60-vote affirmative threshold)
  6. Sinema-Tester Amendment #6621 (60-vote affirmative threshold)
  7. Lee Amendment #6563 (simple majority)
  8. Lee Amendment #6576 (simple majority)
  9. Lankford Amendment #6577 (simple majority)
  10. Braun Amendment #6569 (60-vote affirmative threshold)
  11. Cassidy Amendment #6558 (60-vote affirmative threshold)
  12. Padilla-Cornyn Amendment #6588 (60-vote affirmative threshold)
  13. Graham Amendment # 6596 (60-vote affirmative threshold)
  14. Merkley Amendment #6595 (60-vote affirmative threshold)
  15. Klobuchar-Lee Amendment #6597 (60-vote affirmative threshold)
  16. Gillibrand Amendment #6607 (60-vote affirmative threshold)
  17. Menendez-Cotton Amendment #6617 (60-vote affirmative threshold)
  18. Motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R. 2617 (legislative vehicle for the Consolidated Appropriations Act FY2023 w/ Senate amendment #6552

9:30 a.m. By a vote of 70-21, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Franklin Parker to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Senators voting no: Blackburn, Boozman, Braun, Cassidy, Cotton, Crapo, Cruz, Daines, Hagerty, Hawley, Johnson, Lankford, Lee, Lummis, Marshall, Paul, Rubio, Scott (FL), Scott (SC), and Shelby. Senators not voting: Barrasso, Burr, Cramer, Graham, Kennedy, Risch, Sanders, Sasse, and Tillis.

8:05 a.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of Executive Calendar #781 Franklin Parker to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

8:02 a.m. ML Schumer spoke on the omnibus.

8:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

*****

The Senate will convene at 8:00 a.m. and immediately vote on confirmation of the nomination of Franklin Parker to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Further votes are expected.