Thursday, March 7, 2024

6:32 p.m. The Senate recessed and will reconvene at 8:20 p.m.to proceed as a body to the House of Representatives for the State of the Union. Upon dissolution of the joint session the Senate will adjourn until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 8 with a live quorum to occur shortly after convening. At 12:00 noon, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.4366, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024.

6:31 p.m. Senator Schumer asked unanimous consent that at a time to be determined, the Senate proceed to the following nominations with two minutes of debate followed by votes:

  • Calendar #532-Leon Schydlower to US District Judge for the Western District of Texas
  • Calendar #533-Ernest Gonzalez to be US District Judge for the Western District of Texas

The Senate then confirmed the following nominations en bloc:

  • Calendar #363-Melissa Holyoak to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of 7 years.
  • Calendar #280-Fara Damelin to be Inspector General, FCC
  • Calendar #361-Andrew Ferguson to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the unexpired term of 7 years from September 26, 2016
  • Calendar #362-Andrew N. Ferguson, of Virginia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of seven years from September 26, 2023.
  • Calendar #359-Rebecca Kelly Slaugher to be Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of 7 years
  • Calendar #258-Loren Sweatt to be a Member of the National Mediation Board expiring July 1, 2023
  • Calendar #259-Loren Sweatt to be a Member of the National Mediation Board expiring July 1, 2026 (Reappointment)
  • Calendar #118-Linda Puchala to be a Member of the National Mediation Board expiring July 1, 2024
  • Calendar #119-Linda Puchala to be a Member of the National Mediation Board expiring July 1, 2027 (Reappointment)
  • Calendar #360-Douglas Dziak to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  • Calendar #120-Deirdre Hamilton, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Mediation Board for a term expiring July 1, 2025

5:23 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke on abortion.

5:10 p.m. Senator Tuberville spoke on the State of the Union.

5:00 p.m. Senator Shaheen began a colloquy with Senator Klobuchar on funding the antitrust division of the Justice Department.

4:36 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the Environmental Protection Agency.

4:26 p.m. Senator Welch spoke about the Postal Service and Postmaster General.

4:20 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about Judicial vacancies.

4:15 p.m. Senator Scott spoke about inflation.

4:13 p.m. by a vote of 51-45 the nomination of Adrienne Jennings Noti to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia was confirmed. Republicans voting aye: Collins and Murkowski. Not voting: Britt, Gillibrand, Marshall and Sanders.

3:18 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Adrienne Jennings Noti to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

3:17 p.m. By a vote of 69-30, the Senate passed S. 3853, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act. Republican senators voting in favor: Blackburn, Boozman, Braun, Cotton, Crapo, Cruz, Daines, Graham, Hagerty, Hawley, Marshall, McConnell, Moran, Murkowski, Risch, Rounds, Rubio, Schmitt, Sullivan, and Vance. Democrat senators voting no: Carper and Manchin. Senator Britt did not vote.

2:23 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.3853, a bill to extend the period for filing claims under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and to provide for compensation under such Act for claims relating to Manhattan Project waste, and to improve compensation for workers involved in uranium mining. This vote is subject to an affirmative 60-vote threshold.

2:00 p.m. Senators Lujan, Hawley, and Schmitt spoke on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act.

1:56 p.m. Senator Peters spoke in support of the Noti nomination.

1:33 p.m. Senators Barrasso, Lummis, Bennett, and Hickenlooper paid tribute to former Wyoming State Representative Pat O’Toole.

1:29 p.m. Senator Budd spoke on the immigration policies.

1:21 p.m. Senator Hoeven spoke on inflation and immigration policies.

1:14 p.m. Senator Hyde-Smith spoke on immigration policies.

1:03 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on immigration policies.

12:52 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the southern border.

12:43 p.m. Senator Capito spoke on President Biden’s policies.

12:42 p.m. By a vote of 52-46, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Adrienne Jennings Noti to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Senators Collins and Murkowski vote in favor. Senators Britt and Sanders did not vote.

11:46 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Adrienne Jennings Noti to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

11:27 a.m. Senator Heinrich spoke on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act and agricultural appropriations.

11:09 a.m. Senator Cruz spoke on the devastating wildfires in Texas.

11:02 a.m. Senators Cruz and Cornyn spoke on the I-27 Numbering Act. The Senate concurred in the House amendment to S. 992 by unanimous consent.

10:54 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the Biden administration and inflation.

10:36 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke about the economy and President Bidens agenda.

10:23 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke about President Bidens State of the Union address, the appropriations bills and the FAA.

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 Adrienne Noti to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

At approximately 11:45 a.m. the Senate will vote on cloture on the Noti nomination.

At approximately 2:15 p.m. the Senate will proceed to two votes:
1. Passage of S.3853, a bill to extend the period for filing claims under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and to provide for compensation under such Act for claims relating to Manhattan Project waste, and to improve compensation for workers involved in uranium mining. This vote is subject to an affirmative 60-vote threshold.

2.Confirmation of the Noti nomination.

Further votes are possible.

Cloture has been filed on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.4366; the Consolidated Appropriations Act.

At 9:00 p.m., the President will deliver the State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress.