Thursday, February 2, 2023

4:02 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3rd when the Senate will convene for a pro forma session.

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, it will next convene at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of Executive Calendar #3, DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, of South Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Benjamin nomination.

At 9:00 p.m., President Joe Biden will deliver the State of the Union address from the Hall of the House of Representatives in the U.S. Capitol.

3:57 p.m. ML Schumer began wrap up.

  • Filed cloture on Exec. Cal. #3 DeAndrea Gist Benjamin to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.
  • Agreed to: H.Con.Res. 11, providing for a Joint Session of Congress to receive a message from the President.
  • Adopted by unanimous consent en bloc: S.Res. 27,Blue Star Mother’s Day, S.Res. 28, Space Shuttle Columbia S.Res. 29, National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week.
  • Adopted by unanimous consent en bloc: S.Res. 30, to constitute the majority party’s membership on certain committees for the 118th Congress or until their successors are chosen and S.Res. 31, to constitute the minority party’s membership on certain committees for the 118th Congress or until their successors are chosen.
  • Under Rule XIV, S. 259, Transportation Fuel Market Transparency Act was read for the first time.
  • Unanimous consent that the presiding officer be authorized to appoint a committee on the part of the enate to join with a like committee on the part of the House of Representatives to escort the President of the United States into the House Chamber for the Joint Session of Congress to be held at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

3:32 p.m. Senator Murray spoke on the Family and Medical Leave Act.

2:54 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke on the Alaskans of the Week. He also spoke about the Willow project.

2:21 p.m. By a vote of 60-37, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Joseph Lee Falk to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace for a term of 4 years.

Not voting: Senators Murkowski, Rubio and Sanders.

1:37 p.m. The Senate began a vote on confirmation of Joseph Falk to be a member of the board of directors of the US Institute of Peace.

1:22 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke on classified information.

11:47 a.m. Senator Stabenow spoke on the cost of insulin with Medicare.

11:31 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on pharmaceuticals patents.

11:14 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the workforce and his Caring for All Families Act.

11:01 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about South Dakota State University Football Team, the Farm Bill, and taxes.

10:37 a.m. RL McConnell spoke about voting law legislation and the Farm Bill.

10:23 a.m. ML Schumer spoke about the debt ceiling, big oil, the Chile Tax Treaty and oil sales.

10:22 a.m. The Following bills were placed on the Legislative Calendar under Rule 14 en Bloc:

  • S.214 A bill to allow reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms.
  • S.219 A bill to provide that Members of Congress may not receive pay after October 1 of any fiscal year in which Congress has not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget and passed the regular appropriations bills.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. At that time, following any leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to consideration of the nomination of PN61 Joseph Falk to be a member of the Board of Directors of the US Institute of Peace.

At 1:45 p.m. the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Falk nomination.