Wednesday, July 20, 2022

8:46 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene on Thursday, July 21st at 10:00 a.m. The Senate will resume consideration of the Message accompanying H.R. 4346, the legislative vehicle for the CHIPS-Plus Act, with a further amendment (#5135).

At 11:30 a.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of Reuben E. Brigety II to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of South Africa. Additional votes expected

7:51 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke on the Supreme Court.

7:42 p.m. Senator Portman spoke on SAIA provisions not being included in the CHIPS+ legislation.

7:19 p.m. ML Schumer began wrap up:

  • filed cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment, to the Senate amendment, to H.R. 4346, the legislative vehicle for the CHIPS-Plus Act, with a further amendment (#5135)
  • Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #996 Carmen G. Cantor to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior
  • At a time to be determined in consultation by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate consider Calendar 902
  • Adopted by a voice vote: S.Res. 669, A resolution condemning the use of hunger as a weapon of war and recognizing the effect of conflict on global food security and famine with a Committee reported substitute
  • Adopted by unanimous consent: S.Res. 686, A resolution designating July 23, 2022, as “National Day of the American Cowboy”
  • Adopted by unanimous consent: S.Res. 694, expressing support for the designation of July 2022 as “National Sarcoma Awareness Month”
  • Adopted by unanimous consent: S.Res. 706, A resolution remembering former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe
  • Began Rule XIV process on H.R. 8404, Respect for Marriage Act (read for first time)
  • Passed by unanimous consent: S. 3895, US Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act

7:17 p.m. By a vote of 34-63, the Senate did not agree to S.Con.Res. 43.

5:51 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to proceed to S.Con.Res.43, a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2023 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2024 through 2032.

5:49 p.m. Senator Carper asked for unanimous consent for at a time to be determined by leadership, that the Senate proceed to consideration H.R.7776 – Water Resources Development Act of 2022 with the Carper-Capito-Cramer substitute amendment. There was no objection.

5:30 p.m. Senator Braun spoke about debt.

4:59 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on immigration.

4:38 p.m. Senators Manchin and Collins spoke on electoral count reform legislation.

4:25 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about energy.

4:20 p.m. Senator Lee spoke about energy costs.

4:14 p.m. Senator Scott (FL) asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to consider S. 3086 – GAS PRICE Act. Senator Lee objected and asked for the Senate to proceed to immediate consideration of S. 4751. Senator Scott (FL) objected to Senator Lee’s request.

4:14 p.m. By a vote of 51-44, the Senate confirmed Bernadette M. Meehan to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Chile.

3:33 p.m. The Senate is now voting on Confirmation of Executive Calendar #920 Bernadette M. Meehan to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Chile.

3:33 p.m. By a vote of 52-43, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Gregory Brian Williams to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Delaware

2:39 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the nomination of Gregory Williams to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Delaware.

2:29 p.m. Senator Durbin unanimous consent to withdraw the cloture motion on the Merle nomination and spoke on prescription drug prices.

1:56 p.m. Senators Blunt, Sullivan, Moran and Murkowski spoke on inflation and policies of the Biden Administration.

1:50 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke on high gasoline prices.

1:42 p.m. Senator Marshall spoke on inflation and energy prices.

1:30 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about energy policy and on CHIPS legislation.

1:16 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about climate change.

1:02 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about energy and inflation.

12:56 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke in support of the CHIPS act.

12:32 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about Ukraine and Russia.

12:27 p.m. By a vote of 52-43, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Gregory Williams to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Delaware.

Republicans in voting favor: Senators Blunt, Collins, Cramer, Graham and Murkowski

Not voting: Senators Kennedy, Leahy, Markey, Warren and Whitehouse

11:45 a.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Gregory Williams to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Delaware.

11:36 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about drug pricing.

11:26 a.m. Senators Carper and Coons spoke in favor of the Williams nomination.

11:15 a.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about the clerk of the Appropriations committee.

11:00 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the NDAA and inflation.

10:50 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on the marriage equality bill, the CHIPS bill, which he plans to file cloture on today, health care and prescription drugs, and Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

10:17 a.m. Republican leader McConnell spoke on campaign finance issues and later on climate change and energy; and the likely admittance of Finland and Sweden into NATO.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

The Senate convenes at 10:00 a.m. and following Leader Remarks, will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #989 Gregory Brian Williams to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Delaware.

At 11:30 a.m. 1 vote:

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on the Williams nomination

At 2:30 p.m. 2 votes:

  1. Confirmation of the Williams nomination (if cloture is invoked)
  2. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #971 Natasha C. Merle to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York

Further votes are expected during Wednesday’s session.