Wednesday, March 8, 2023

8:10 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 9, pursuant to S. Res. 100 as a further mark of respect to the late James Thomas Broyhill, former senator from North Carolina.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #61 Daniel I. Werfel to be Commissioner of the Internal Revenue for the term expiring November 12, 2027, post-cloture.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes on the following:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #61 Daniel I. Werfel to be Commissioner of the Internal Revenue for the term expiring November 12, 2027.
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #39 James Edward Simmons, Jr. to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California.

At 1:45 p.m. the Senate will proceed to one vote on the following:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #6 Maria Araujo Kahn to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.

Wrap-up:

  • S. 701, the Women’s Health Protection Act: had first reading to begin the Rule 14 process to place it on the Legislative Calendar.
  • S. 724, to protect children against sexual abuse and exploitation and for other purposes: passed by unanimous consent.
  • S. Res. 100, to honor the life and death of James Thomas Broyhill, former senator for the state of North Carolina: passed by unanimous consent.

7:49 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the Willow Project.

7:26 p.m. Senator Rounds spoke on the FCC Spectrum Auction Authority and asked unanimous consent for the Senate to pass S. 650 a bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to extend the authority of the Federal Communications Commission to grant a license or construction permit through a system of competitive bidding. Senator Welch objected and asked unanimous consent for the Senate to pass H.R. 1108 to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to extend the authority of the Federal Communications Commission to grant a license or construction permit through a system of competitive bidding. Senator Rounds objected.

7:26 p.m. By a vote of 81-14-1, the Senate passed H.J. Res. 26 disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. Senators voting no: Booker, Cardin, Duckworth, Durbin, Hirono, Markey, Merkley, Murphy, Reed, Sanders, Van Hollen, Warren, Welch and Whitehouse. Senator Warnock voted present.

6:27 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.J. Res. 26 disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022

6:22 p.m. Senator Hagerty spoke on H.J. Res. 26, regarding the DC criminal code.

4:58 p.m. Senators Baldwin, Klobuchar, Welch, Cantwell, Shaheen, Blumenthal, Schumer, Whitehouse, Hassan, Murray, Wyden, Hirono, Stabenow, and Cortez Masto spoke on abortion and the Women’s Health Protection Act.

4:44 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about German support for Ukraine.

4:35 p.m. Senator Tuberville responded to and engaged in debate with Senator Bennet regarding the Defense Department abortion policy.

3:45 p.m. Senator Bennet spoke about Defense nominations. He then asked for the following nominations to be considered en bloc; Executive Calendars 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, and 52. Senator Tuberville objected. He then continued speaking about why Senator Tuberville objected and abortion.

3:17 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke in support of the nomination of Daniel Werfel to be Commissioner of the Internal Revenue and paid tribute to Bill and Dottie Schonely.

3:06 p.m. Senator Booker spoke in support of DC Statehood and against H.J. Res. 26.

2:50 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke against H.J. Res. 26, regarding the DC criminal code.

2:33 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke on the DC criminal code and asked unanimous consent that the Senate pass his bill, S. 713 No Early Release for Carjackers Act. Senator Durbin objected.

12:38 p.m. Senators Capito, Hyde Smith, Tillis, Thune, Hoeven, Cruz, Marshall, Ricketts, Ernst, Barasso, Blackburn, and Lee spoke on crime and the DC criminal code.

12:37 p.m. The Senate began up to ten hours of debate on HJ Res 26, regarding the DC criminal code.

12:36 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Werfel nomination, 51-44. Republicans voting in favor:Cassidy, Collins, Grassley, Murkowski, Tillis and Young. Democrat voting against: Manchin. Senators not voting: Carper, Cardin, Feinstein, Fetterman and Van Hollen.

11:41a.m. The Senate began voting on cloture on the nomination of Daniel Werfel to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

11:40 a.m. The Senate confirmed the Kunesh nomination, 57-35. Republicans voting in favor: Capito, Collins, Cramer, Daines, Hoeven, Kennedy, McConnell, Moran, Murkowski, Rounds, Sullivan, Thune, Tillis and Young. Senators not voting: Cardin, Carper, Duckworth, Feinstein, Fetterman, Sanders, Van Hollen and Whitehouse.

10:48 a.m. The Senate is now voting on the confirmation of the Kunesh nomination.

10:37 a.m. RL McConnell spoke about President Biden and crime in US cities.

10:21 a.m. ML Schumer spoke about FOX News, the budget, rail safety and Sir. Andrew Lloyd Webber.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following Leader remarks will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #45 Patrice Kunesh to be Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans, Department of Health and Human Services.

At approximately 10:45 a.m. the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes:
1. Confirmation of the Kunesh nomination.
2. Cloture on the nomination of Daniel Werfel to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

At approximately 5:15 p.m., the Senate is expected to proceed to two roll call votes:
1.Passage of H.J.Res.26, disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022
2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #61, the Werfel nomination.