Thursday, February 29, 2024

8:21 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene for a pro forma session only at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1. When they adjourn on Friday they will stand adjourned until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5. At 5:30 the Senate will vote on cloture of the nomination of Ronald Keohane to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

During wrap-up:

  • Confirmed, Calendar #517-Douglas Craig Schmidt to be Director of Operations Test and Evaluation for Dept. of Defense
  • Passed S. 3706-Victims’ Voices Act
  • Passed S. 3859-Justice for Murder Victims
  • Adopted S. Res. 570-Speech and Debate Education Day
  • Began the Rule 14 process to place S. 3853-Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act on the calendar.

8:15 p.m. Senator Schumer filed cloture on the following nominations:

  • Calendar #518-Ronald Keohane to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense
  • Calendar #529-Moshe Marvit to be a member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission
  • Calendar #456-Cathy Ann Harris to be Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board

8:14 p.m. By a vote of 77-13 the Senate passed H.R. 7463-CR. Voting no: Blackburn, Braun, Budd, Cramer, Crapo, Hawley, Johnson, Lee, Marshall, Schmitt, Scott (FL), Tuberville, Vance. Not voting: Barrasso, Britt, Cassidy, Daines, Manchin, Moran, Paul, Risch, Romney and Scott (SC).

7:46 p.m. The Senate began voting on passage of H.R. 7463

7:44 p.m. By a vote of 32-58 the Senate did not agree to the Cruz motion to commit. Republicans voting no: Braun, Collins, Hyde-Smith, Murkowski, Rounds, Young. Not voting: Barrasso, Britt, Cassidy, Daines, Manchin, Moran, Paul, Risch, Romney and Scott (SC).

7:35 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Cruz motion to commit (H.R. 2)

7:33 p.m. By a vote of 12-77, the Lee motion to commit was not agreed to 12-77. Voting no: Blackburn, Budd, Cruz, Hawley, Johnson, Kennedy, Lee, Lummis, Marshall, Rubio, Scott (FL), and Tuberville. Not voting: Barrasso, Britt, Cassidy, Daines, Manchin, Moran, Paul, Risch, Romney, Scott (SC), and Vance.

7:21 p.m. The Senate began voting on Lee Motion to Commit (year-long CR).

7:19 p.m. By a vote of 14-76, the Senate did not agree to the Marshall motion to commit. Voting aye: Blackburn, Budd, Cruz, Hagerty, Hawley, Johnson, Kennedy, Lee, Lummis, Marshall, Paul, Rubio, Scott (FL), and Tuberville. Not voting: Barrasso, Britt, Cassidy, Daines, Manchin, Moran, Risch, Romney, Scott (SC) and Vance.

7:03 p.m. The Senate began a vote on the Marshall motion to commit H.R.7463, Continuing Resolution, to the Appropriations Committee with instructions. (Full-year CR plus Israel aid).

7:00 p.m. By a vote of 37-55 the Paul amendment #1614 (Federal Reserve Municipal Bonds) was not agreed to. Republicans voting no: Collins, Murkowski, and Rounds. Independent voting aye: Sanders. Not voting:: Barrasso, Britt, Cassidy, Daines, Manchin, Moran, Risch, Romney, Scott (SC) and Vance.

6:23 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Paul amendment #1614(Federal Reserve Municipal Bonds)

6:15 p.m. Senator Schumer announced there would be 5 votes in relation to H.R. 7463 (CR)starting at 6:30:

  • Paul amendment #1614 (60-vote affirmative threshold) (Federal Reserve Municipal Bonds)
  • Marshall Motion to Commit (year-long CR plus Israel aid)
  • Lee Motion to Commit (year-long CR)
  • Cruz Motion to Commit (H.R.2)
  • Passage of H.R.7463 (as amended, if amended) (60-vote affirmative threshold)

6:12 p.m. By a vote of 13-79, the motion to discharge S. J. Res. 60-joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Turkiye of certain defense articles and services (F-16) was not agreed to. Voting aye: Braun, Fetterman, Lee, Markey, Menendez, Paul, Peters, Sanders, Scott (FL), Stabenow, Warren, Welch, Wyden.

3:30 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to discharge S. J. Res. 60-joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Turkiye of certain defense articles and services (F-16)

3:10 p.m. Senator Paul spoke about S.J. Res 60.

3:03 p.m. Senator Risch spoke about S.J. Res. 60-F-16 jet sale to Turkey.

2:56 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about F-16 sale to Turkey.

2:45 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about civilians in Gaza.

2:40 p.m. Senator Kelly spoke about the border bill.

2:05 p.m. Senator Cornyn paid tribute to Republican Leader McConnell and later spoke about government funding and the Senate schedule.

2:01 p.m. Senator Peters spoke on IVF.

1:51 p.m. Senator Johnson recognized the achievement of Ronald Wanek on his induction into the Wisconsin Manufacturing Hall of Fame.

1:40 p.m. Senator Young paid tribute to Vermillion county Indiana on its recent bicentennial.

1:23 p.m. Senator Butler spoke about book banning.

1:22 p.m. By a vote of 50-47, the Senate did not override the President’s veto of S.J. Res. 38, the CRA regarding the Federal Highway Administration and the “Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers”. Democrats voting in favor: Brown, Manchin and Tester. Independent voting in favor: Sinema. Republican voting against: Paul. Senators not voting; Barrasso, Moran and Sanders.

12:34 p.m. The Senate is now voting on passage of S.J.Res. 38

12:33 p.m. Senator Carper spoke against S.J.Res.38.

12:32 p.m. By a vote of 56-41, the Senate confirmed Marjorie Rollinson to be Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service and an Assistant General Counsel in the Department of the Treasury.

11:39 a.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of the Rollinson nomination.

11:34 a.m. Senator Wyden spoke on the Rollinson nomination.

11:28 a.m. Senator Stabenow spoke on border security.

11:22 a.m. Senator Murphy spoke on border security.

11:12 a.m. Senator Schatz spoke on Gaza, Roe v. Wade, appropriations.

11:03 a.m. Senator Warren spoke on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

10:56 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about Leader McConnell legacy. He then spoke about democrat spending and inflation.

10:36 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke on government funding and Ukraine.

10:18 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on government funding, the southern border, Ukraine and voting rights. He then paid tribute to Senate Curator Jim Bennett, who recently passed away.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

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The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following any Leader remarks will resume consideration of the nomination of Marjorie Rollinson to be Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service and an Assistant General Counsel in the Department of the Treasury.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., the Senate will proceed to two votes:

1. Confirmation of the Rollinson nomination.
2. Passage of S.J.Res.38, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Federal Highway Administration relating to “Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers”, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding.

Following the votes, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the nomination of Ronald Keohane to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

We also expect votes in relation to the following:

1. S.J.Res.60, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Türkiye of certain defense articles and services.
2. H.J.Res.98, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to “Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status”.

Further votes related to a continuing resolution are also possible.