Thursday, March 31, 2022

4:23 p.m. The Senate recessed until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 4. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will be in Executive Session.

A motion to discharge the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from the Committee on the Judiciary is expected on Monday. Once the motion to discharge is made, there would be up to 4 hours of debate equally divided, prior to a roll call vote on the motion.

As a reminder: The motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 4373, the vehicle for a possible COVID Supplemental, will be rescheduled to a later time as negotiations continue.

During wrap-up:

  • Agreed to by unanimous consent: S. Res. 573, A resolution to authorize representation by Senate Legal Counsel.
  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #400 Alan F. Estevez to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security
  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #647 Enoh T. Ebong to be Director of the Trade and Development Agency
  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #775 Joseph F. DeCarolis to be Administrator of the Energy Information Administration

****

4:04 p.m. Senator Markey spoke

3:36 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke in support of the Jackson SCOTUS nomination.

3:20 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke about nutrition vouchers.

3:12 p.m. Senator Cantwell spoke about the shipping reform bill.

3:06 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about the shipping bill that passed.

2:56 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke on Judge Jackson and the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.

2:29 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on Judge Jackson.

2:14 p.m. Senator Carper spoke on the submarine the U.S.S. Delaware.

2:06 p.m. Senator Baldwin spoke on the nominations and asked unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to and confirm the following en bloc: Executive Calendar #477 Alex Wagner to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force and Executive Calendar #599 Ashish S. Vazirani to be a Deputy Under Secretary of Defense. Senator Hawley objected.

1:58 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer announced that the previously scheduled 1:45 p.m. vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.4373, legislative vehicle for COVID funding, will be rescheduled for a time to be determined, in consultation with the Republican leader.

Passed by voice vote:

  • H.R. 3197-Land conveyance to Eunis, LA
  • S. 1320-establish the Cherakahua National Park in AZ, as amended
  • S. 3580-Reform shipping practices, as amended

H.R. 3197 Save the Liberty Theatre Act of 2021 was agreed to by unanimous consent.

S. 1320 Chiricahua National Park Act, and the Committee reported substituted amendment, was agreed to by unanimous consent.

S. 3580 Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022, and the substitute amendment, was agreed to by voice vote.

1:58 p.m. The Senate confirmed  Executive Calendar #681 Georgette Castner to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey, 52-47.

Republican senators voting Aye: Collins and Graham

Not voting: Senator Burr

1:04 p.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of Executive Calendar #681 Georgette Castner to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey.

1:03 p.m. By a vote of 52-48, the Senate confirmed Executive Calendar #680 Sarah Geraghty to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. Republicans voting aye: Senators Collins and Graham.

12:10 p.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of Executive Calendar #680 Sarah Geraghty to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. 

11:58 a.m. Senator Murphy spoke about Judge Jackson and the Supreme Court. He asked unanimous consent for the Senate to proceed to and vote on Executive Calendar #665 Javier Ramirez to be a Member of the National Mediation Board for a term expiring July 1, 2024. Senator Braun objected.

11:46 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.

11:40 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the 2023 Farm bill.

11:23 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about Judge Jackson.

10:56 a.m. Senator Graham spoke about Judge Jackson.

10:43 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke about the southern border, Judge Jackson, and gas prices.

10:32 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke about COVID funding and supply chains.

10:11 a.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about guest chaplain Rabbi Menachem Greenberg, Director of the Mat-Su Jewish Center.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following any Leader remarks, will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R.4373, the legislative vehicle for COVID funding.

At approximately 11:45 a.m. – 2 roll call votes:

1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #680 Sarah Geraghty to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. 
2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #681 Georgette Castner to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey.

At approximately 1:45 p.m. – 1 roll call vote:

1. Cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.4373, legislative vehicle for COVID funding.