Wednesday, November 29, 2023

7:57 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

7:32 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on the situation in Israel.

7:28 p.m. Majority Leader wrapped up for the evening. The following nominations were confirmed en bloc by voice vote:Ann Yastishock to be Ambassador to New Guinea, the Solomons Islands and Vanuatu; Heather Variava to be Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Vernelle FitzPatrick to be Ambassdor to the Gabonese Republic; and Kara McDonald to be Ambassador to LIthuania. S 1278, renaming a federal building in Detroit after Rosa Parks was passed by unanimous consent; S. 2644, establishing standards for trauma kits was passed by unanimous consent; S Res 479, designating November 2023 as National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month was passed by unanimous consent.

7:27 p.m. By a tally of 53-44, the Senate invoked cloture on the Park nomination. Republicans in favor: Collins, Graham and Murkowski.
Senators not voting; Cruz, Hawley and Hickenlooper.

6:22 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Shanlyn Park to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii.

6:22 p.m. By a vote of 54-44, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Jamel Semper to be a District Judge for New Jersey. Republican senators voting in favor: Collins, Graham, Kennedy and Murkowski. Senators Cruz and Hickenlooper were absent.

5:18 p.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of Jamel Semper to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey

4:22 p.m. Senators Murray, Smith, Shaheen, Whitehouse, Kaine, Wyden, Murphy and Stabenow, Cortez Masto, Klobuchar and Merkley spoke about childcare.

4:21 p.m. By a vote of 54-44, the motion to invoke cloture on the Semper nomination was agreed to. Senators Collins, Graham, Kennedy, and Murkowski voted in favor. Senators Cruz and Hickenlooper did not vote.

3:22 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Jamel Semper to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey.

3:21 p.m. By a vote of 57-41, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Micah Smith to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii. Senators Collins, Graham, Kennedy, Mullin, Murkowski, Rounds and Tillis voted in favor. Senators Cruz and Hickenlooper did not vote.

2:36 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the nomination of Micah Smith to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii.

2:33 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke in favor of the nomination of Jamel Semper to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey

2:20 p.m. Senators Tillis and Hoeven spoke about border security.

2:10 p.m. Senator Graham spoke about border security.

1:58 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about border security.

1:53 p.m. Senator Marshall spoke about border security.

1:35 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke about the border.

1:22 p.m. Senator Moran spoke about the budget and appropriations.

1:11 p.m. Senator Ricketts spoke about border security.

12:56 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about government oversight.

12:55 p.m. By a vote of 57-42, the Senate invoked cloture on Micah Smith to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii.

  • Senators Collins, Graham, Kennedy, Mullin, Murkowski, Rounds and Tillis voted YEA
  • Senator Hickenlooper did not vote

11:36 a.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on Micah Smith to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii.

11:20 a.m. Senator Collins spoke about the 2024 NDAA.

11:12 a.m. Senator Schatz spoke about climate change and COP28 and in support of the nominations of Shanlyn Park to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii and Micah Smith to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii.

11:01 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the southern border.

10:58 a.m. Senator Gillibrand spoke on the hostages of Hamas.

10:47 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke on anti-Semitism, border security, and inflation.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on anti-Semitism.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.  At that time, following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Micah Smith to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., the Senate will vote on cloture on the Smith nomination.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. the Senate will proceed to two votes:

1. Confirmation of the Smith nomination.

2. Cloture on the nomination of Jamel Semper to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey

At approximately 5:45 p.m. the Senate will proceed to two votes:

1. Confirmation of the Semper nomination.

2. Cloture on the nomination of Shanlyn Park to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii.

Cloture has also been filed on the nomination of Irma Ramirez to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit.