Wednesday, November 8, 2023

6:56 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will next convene at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 9th. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of the nomination of Monica Ramirez Almadani to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, post-cloture.

6:54 p.m. Senator Whitehouse began wrap up:

The Senate passed/agreed to the following items by unanimous consent:

  • S.Res. 456, A resolution designating November 2023 as ‘‘National College Application Month’’.
  • S.Res. 457, A resolution honoring the distinguished service of Captain Samuel Farmer of the United States Marine Corps and the Marines and sailors of 1st Platoon, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.
  • S.Res. 311, A bill to correct the inequitable denial of enhanced retirement and annuity benefits to certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers, as amended by the Committee-reported substitute amendment, which was agreed to by unanimous consent
  • S. 670, A bill to improve services for trafficking victims by establishing, in Homeland Security Investigations, the Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma Program and the Victim Assistance Program, as amended by the Peters amendment in the nature of a substitute (1363), which was agreed to by unanimous consent.
  • S. 749, A bill to ensure that the National Advisory Council on Indian Education includes at least 1 member who is the president of a Tribal College or University and to require the Secretaries of Education and Interior to consider the National Advisory Council on Indian Education’s reports in the preparation of budget materials.

The Senate confirmed the following nominations, en bloc, by voice vote:

  • Mark W. Libby a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
  • Edgard D. Kagan a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Malaysia.

6:51 p.m. By a vote of 52-46, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Monica Ramirez Almadani to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. Senator Graham voted in favor. Senators Ernst & Scott (SC) did not vote.

6:16 p.m. By a vote of 50-48, the Senate passed S.J. Res. 38, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Highway Administration relating to “Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers. Democrats/Independents voting in favor: Senators Brown, Manchin, Sinema, and Tester. Senator Paul voted against. Not voting: Senators Ernst and Scott (SC).

5:31 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.J. Res. 38.

5:30 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke on S.J. Res. 38.

5:26 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke on S.J. Res. 38.

5:01 p.m. Senator Hawley spoke on university protests and TikTok. He then asked unanimous consent for the Senate to take up and pass S. 85.

4:37 p.m. Senator Moran paid tribute to Nester Wygan Jr.

4:21 p.m. Senator Carper spoke on S.J. Res. 38.

4:15 p.m. Senator Baldwin spoke on S.J. Res. 38.

4:12 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke in support of the McMillion nomination. She also spoke on S. J. Res. 38.

4:10 p.m. By a vote of 54-44, the Senate invoked cloture on Brandy R. McMillion, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. Republican senators voting in favor: Collins, Graham and Murkowski. Senators Ernst and Scott (SC) did not vote.

3:16 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on Brandy R. McMillion, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.

3:15 p.m. By a vote of 51-47, the Senate confirmed Charlotte A. Burrows, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Party line vote. Senators Ernst and Scott (SC) did not vote.

2:15 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of Charlotte A. Burrows, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

2:05 p.m. Senator Ricketts spoke about the national debt, about homeland security, and about the Senate work schedule.

1:57 p.m. Senator Schmitt spoke about the economy.

1:29 p.m. Senator Capito spoke about the economy.

1:27 p.m. By a vote of 51-47, the motion to cloture on Executive Calendar #373 Charlotte A. Burrows to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028 was agreed to. Party line vote. Not voting: Senators Ernst and Scott (SC).

12:32 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #373 Charlotte A. Burrows to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.

12:30 p.m. By a vote of 51-48, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Ramon Reyes, Jr. to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. This was a party line vote, Senator Scott of SC did not vote.

11:28 a.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the Reyes nomination.

11:18 a.m. Senator Schmitt spoke on the situation in Israel.

11:04 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on antisemitism.

10:56 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about veterans day.

10:32 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about judicial nominations.

10:20 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke about national security, China and anti-Semitism at college campuses.

10:04 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke about the 2024 Election, AI, the US role in global issues and judicial nominations.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened

***

The Senate will convene today at 10:00 a.m. Following leader remarks the senate will resume consideration of Ramon Ernesto Reyes Jr to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, post cloture.

At 11:30 a.m. the Senate will hold two roll call votes

  1. Confirmation of Ramon Ernesto Reyes Jr to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York
  2. Motion to invoke cloture on Charlotte A. Burrows, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

At 2:20 p.m. the Senate will hold two roll call votes

  1. Confirmation of Charlotte A. Burrows, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
  2. Motion to invoke cloture on Brandy R. McMillion, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.

If Cloture is invoked, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the McMillion nomination at a time to be determined

At approximately 5:30 p.m. the Senate will hold two roll call votes

  1. Passage of S.J.Res. 38
  2. Motion to invoke cloture on Monica Ramirez Almadani, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California.