Thursday, February 9, 2023

4:28 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13. They will resume post-cloture consideration of the nomination of Cindy K Chung to be US Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. At 5:30, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the Chung nomination followed by a cloture vote on the nomination of Gina Mendez-Miro to be US District Judge for Puerto Rico.

During wrap-up:

  • S. 299, a bill to amend Title 31 US code to provide for automatic continuing resolutions-2nd reading
  • H.R. 185, an act to terminate the requirement imposed by the director of the CDC and prevention for proof of covid-19 vaccination for foreign travelers-1st reading

3:43 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the Willow project.

3:22 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke about Taiwan.

2:46 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke about the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska (NPRA).

2:35 p.m. Senators Reed and Whitehouse paid tribute to Vincent Vespia Jr, a State Trooper from Rhode Island.

2:34 p.m. By a vote of 52-46 The Senate invoked cloture on Cindy K. Chung to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit.

GOP YEA- Collins, Graham, and Murkowski

Not Voting – Fetterman and Schumer

1:40 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on Cindy K. Chung to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit.

1:34 p.m. Senator Durbin filed cloture on the following nominations;

  • Lindsay C. Jenkins to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois
  • Matthew L. Garcia to be US District Judge for the District of New Mexico
  • Adrienne C. Nelson to be US District Judge for the District of Oregon

1:00 p.m. The Senate reconvened and Senator Barrasso spoke about American energy production.

11:46 a.m. The Senate stands in recess until 1:00 p.m.

11:45 a.m. By a vote of 53-44, the Senate confirmed the Benjamin nomination. Republican senators voting Yes: Collins, Graham, Murkowski, Scott (SC), and Tillis. Senators Coons, Fetterman, and Schumer did not vote.

11:08 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of DeAndrea Benjamin to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.

10:57 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about President Biden’s State of the Union address.

10:54 a.m. Senator Reed received unanimous consent for the Senate to recess following the vote until 1:00 p.m.

10:41 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke about President Biden’s State of the Union address.

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 nomination of DeAndrea Benjamin to be a Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.

At approximately 11:00 a.m. the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Benjamin nomination.

It is possible the Senate will recess between votes to allow for an all Senators briefing on China

At approximately 1:45 p.m. the Senate will vote on cloture on the nomination of Cindy Chung to be a Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit.