Tuesday, October 3, 2023

7:12 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday.

7:08 p.m. Senator Reed wrapped up for the evening. Passed in wrap-up: S Res 156, urging Russia to release Paul Whelan; S Res 394, regarding former Senator James Buckley. UC that the Senate will next convene on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of James O’Brien to be an Assistant Secretary of State.

There are two votes at 11:30 a.m.
1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #319 James O’Brien to be Assistant Secretary of State (European and Eurasian Affairs)
2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #176 Brendan Hurson to be United States District Judge for the District of Maryland

Two votes at approx. 2:15 p.m.:
1. Confirmation of the Hurson nomination.
2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #264 Susan DeClercq to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan

One vote at approx. 5:30 p.m.:
1. Confirmation of the DeClercq nomination.

6:56 p.m. Senator Reed spoke on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

6:40 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on Ukraine.

6:24 p.m. Senator Moran spoke on the recent events in the US Congress and how it affects our standing in the world.

6:23 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the O’Brien nomination, 63-32. Republicans voting in favor: Capito, Collins, Cornyn, Crapo, Graham, Grassley, McConnell, Murkowski, Paul, Ricketts, Romney, Rounds, Tillis, Wicker and Young. Senators not voting: Fetterman, Murray, Risch, Scott of South Carolina and Stabenow.

5:30 p.m. The Senate is currently voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Executive Calendar #319 James O’Brien to be Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

5:15 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke in favor of the O’Brien nomination.

4:45 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on China and Tik Tok.

4:06 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the appropriations process.

3:47 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke on the 30th anniversary of the battle of Mogadishu.

3:35 p.m. Senator Durbin responded to Republican Leader McConnell’s remarks about crime in Chicago. He later spoke about Ukraine and General Milley.

3:30 p.m. Republican Leader McConnell welcomed Senator Butler. He later discussed appropriations, both regular and supplemental, immigration and crime.

3:13 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer welcomed Senator Butler to the Senate and paid tribute to Senator Feinstein. HR 5692, supplemental appropriations had its second reading.

3:05 p.m. Vice President Harris swore in Senator Butler.

3:00 p.m. The Senate convened.

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 The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and following any Leader remarks, will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #319 James O’Brien to be Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote cloture on the O’Brien nomination.

Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations:

1. Executive Calendar #176 Brendan Hurson to be United States District Judge for the District of Maryland.

2. Executive Calendar #264 Susan DeClercq to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.