Wednesday, July 23, 2025

9:11 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 24. They will resume consideration of the nomination of Matthew Lohmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force. At approximately 11:30 they will vote on confirmation of the Lohmeier nomination followed by a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs. If cloture is invoked, they will vote on confirmation of the Topping nomination at 1:45 followed by a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Emil Bove to be a Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit.

During wrap-up:

  • H.Con.Res. 39-use of Emancipation Hall
  • H.R. 3944-A resolution honoring the deep and enduring friendship between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States on the occasion of Danish Constitution Day celebrations.

9:08 p.m. By a vote of 49-47, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Matthew Lohmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force. It was a party line vote with Senators Britt, McConnell, Mullin and Tillis not voting.

8:42 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Matthew Lohmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force.

8:41 p.m. By a vote of 49-47, the Senate confirmed Aaron Szabo to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (Air and Radiation). It was a party line vote with Senators Britt, McConnell, Mullin, and Tillis not voting.

8:09 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of Aaron Szabo to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

7:05 p.m. Senators Kim, Welch, Whitehouse, Hirono, Schiff, and Booker spoke against the Emil Bove nomination.

6:45 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the confirmation process.

6:33 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about the nomination of Emil Bove.

6:20 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke on the recent “Big beautiful bill”.

6:19 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Szabo nomination,48-47. Senators not voting: Britt, McConnell, Mullin, Murkowski and Paul.

5:40 p.m. The Senate began voting on cloture on the nomination of Aaron Szabo to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

5:39 p.m. By a party line vote of 49-47, the Senate confirmed the Bluestone nomination. Senators not voting: Britt, Cruz, McConnell and Mullin.

5:00 p.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of Zachary Bluestone tobe a District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

4:40 p.m. Senators Ricketts, Risch and Paul spoke on Iran. Senator Risch asked UC to take up and pass S Res 81 on that subject, Senator Paul objected.

4:20 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on Republican accomplishments thus far this year.

4:12 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on the EPA and the Szabo nomination.

4:02 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke on housing.

3:29 p.m. Senator Slotkin gave her maiden speech.

3:37 p.m. Senator Ossoff spoke in favor of the Crime Victims Fund Act.

3:19 p.m. By a vote of 49-47 the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Zachary Bluestone to be a District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri was agreed to. Not voting: Senators McConnell, Mullin, Paul and Tuberville.

2:39 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Zachary Bluestone to be a District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

2:37 p.m. By a vote of 90-8, the Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to the consideration of H.R. 3944 the Military Construction Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act of 2026. Senators not voting: McConnell and Mullin. Senators voting against: Hawley, Lee, Markey, Murphy, Padilla, Sanders, Schiff, and Warren.

2:00 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to proceed to H.R.3944 the MilCon/VA appropriations bill.

1:58 p.m. Senator Murray spoke in favor of the MilCon/VA appropriations bill.

1:38 p.m. Senators Durbin and Grassley spoke about drug pricing. Senator Durbin asked unanimous consent to proceed to and pass S. 229. Senator Crapo objected.

1:34 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about the MilCon/VA appropriations bill.

1:28 p.m. By unanimous consent the Senate agreed to S. Res. 333, congratulating the Florida Panthers on winning the Stanley Cup.

1:26 p.m. Senator Moody spoke on the Florida Panthers.

1:10 p.m. Senator Ossoff spoke on appropriations.

12:29 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about immigration.

12:14 p.m. By a vote of 51-47, the Senate confirmed John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes. It was a party line vote with Senators McConnell and Mullin not voting.

11:39 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes.

11:38 a.m. By a vote of 52-41, the Senate confirmed Arielle Roth to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. Democrat senator voting yes: Fetterman. Senators Gallego, Heinrich, Hickenlooper, Luján, McConnell, Mullin, and Warren did not vote.

11:03 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the confirmation of the nomination of Arielle Roth to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.

10:54 a.m. Senator Moran spoke on the appropriations process.

10:42 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the HALT Fentanyl Act and immigration.

10:31 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on taxes and the Trump administration.

10:19 a.m. Majority Leader Thune spoke on immigration and border security.

10:03 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke on Medicare.

10:00 a.m. The Senate is now in session.

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.3944, making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for fiscal year 2026.

At approximately 11:00 a.m., the Senate will proceed to two votes:
1. Confirmation of the nomination of Arielle Roth to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.
2. Confirmation of the nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes.

At approximately 2:00 p.m., the Senate will proceed to two votes:
1. Motion to proceed to H.R.3944.
2. Cloture on the nomination of Zachary Bluestone to be a District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

If cloture is invoked, there will be up to two hours of debate followed by two votes; likely around 5:00 p.m.
1. Confirmation of the Bluestone nomination.
2. Cloture on the nomination of Aaron Szabo to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for Air and Radiation.

If cloture is invoked, there will be up to two hours of debate followed by two votes, likely around 8:00 p.m.
1. Confirmation of the Szabo nomination.
2. Cloture on the nomination of Matthew Lohmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force.

Cloture has also been filed on the following nominations: 
1. Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs.
2. Emil Bove to be a Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit.