Wednesday, October 25, 2023

7:03 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 26th. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 4366, the vehicle for Appropriations minibus(MilCon/VA, Agriculture, T-HUD).

At 11:30 a.m. – two roll call votes:

  1. Motion to discharge from Foreign Relations Committee S.J.Res.44, Paul Republic of Niger War Powers Resolution (if the motion is made).
  2. Adoption of Braun amendment #1182 to H.R.4366 (if the Paul motion to discharge is not agreed to.

Following disposition of the Braun amendment, and after up to 30 minutes of debate, (approximately 1:45 p.m.) – one roll call vote:

  1. Passage of S.J.Res.42, Marshall USDA School Lunches CRA.

6:54 p.m. Senator Manchin began wrap-up:

  • S. 3135, making emergency supplemental appropriations, had its first reading under Rule 14.
  • Agreed to by unanimous consent:
    • S. Res. 430
    • S. Res. 431
    • S. Res. 432

6:54 p.m. By a vote of 56-42, the Senate did not agree to the Lankford amendment #1232 to H.R. 4366, the vehicle for the appropriations minibus. Democrats/Independents voting in favor: Senators Hassan, Kaine, King, Manchin, Menendez, Rosen, Sinema, and Warner. Senator Paul voted no. Senators not voting: Padilla and Scott.

5:48 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Lankford amendment #1232, with a 60 vote threshold.

5:40 p.m. Senators Lankford and Murray spoke on the Lankford amendment.

5:17 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on the situation in Israel.

4:42 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke on rural healthcare and on the Farm Bill.

4:30 p.m. Senators Fischer and Ricketts spoke on Volleyball Day in Nebraska. Senator Fischer asked unanimous consent to adopt S.Res. 428, recognizing the women’s collegiate athletics and the record-setting volleyball day in Nebraska event on August, 30, 2023. The measure was adopted by unanimous consent.

4:04 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the need to advance U.S. Attorney nominations. Senator Durbin asked unanimous consent that at a time to be determined the Senate proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #314 and 315, the Lutzko and Perry nominations. Senator Vance objected.

4:04 p.m. By a vote of 53-45, the Senate adopted the Kennedy amendment #1354 (relating to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System) to H.R. 4366, the “minibus” appropriations bill. Democrats/Independents in favor: King, Manchin, Rosen, Sinema and Tester.

3:14 p.m. The Senate is now voting on adoption of the Kennedy amendment #1354 (relating to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System).

3:07 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke against the Kennedy amendment.

3:05 p.m. Senators Kennedy and Tester spoke in support of the Kennedy amendment #1354.

3:04 p.m. By a vote of 47-51, the Senate did not adopt the Rubio amendment #1237 (relating to energy efficient standards for certain subsidized housing). Party line vote. Senators not voting: Padilla and Scott (SC).

12:18 p.m. The Senate is now voting on adoption of the Rubio amendment #1237 (relating to energy efficient standards for certain subsidized housing)

12:16 p.m. Senator Shaheen is speaking against the adoption of the Rubio amendment #1237 (relating to energy efficient standards for certain subsidized housing)

2:09 p.m. Senator Graham spoke about the Senate delegation visit to Israel and Saudi Arabia and also about Hamas terrorism.

2:04 p.m. Senator Hoeven spoke about homeland security and the terror watch list.

1:57 p.m. Senator Budd spoke about Hamas.

1:48 p.m. Senators Fischer spoke about the attack in Israel.

1:44 p.m. Senator Capito spoke about homeland security and defense of U.S. allies.

1:30 p.m. At 2:15 p.m. – 2 roll call votes:

  1. Adoption of Rubio #1237 (relating to energy efficient standards for certain subsidized housing)
  2. Adoption of Kennedy #1354 (relating to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System)

At 5:45 p.m. – 1 roll call vote:

  • Adoption of Lankford #1232 (relating to a lapse in appropriations)

1:29 p.m. By a vote of 59-38, the Senate agreed to Vance amendment #1210. Democrats/Independents voting in favor: Senators Baldwin, Bennett, Brown, Kaine, Kelly, Klobuchar, Manchin, Rosen, Shaheen, Sinema (I), and Tester. Senators not voting: Fetterman, Padilla, and Scott (SC).

12:31 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of the Vance amendment #1210 (regarding mask mandates).

12:27 p.m. By a vote of 51-46, the Senate confirmed Jessica Looman to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Dept. of Labor

11:30 a.m. The Senate began voting on the Looman nomination.

11:18 a.m. Senator Murray achieved UC to add a second vote after the Looman vote on the Vance amendment #1210.

11:17 a.m. Senators Murray and Collins spoke on the minibus and adopted several amendments by voice vote en bloc: Moran 1250, Daines 1185, Sullivan 1216, Sullivan 1221, Peters/Cornyn 1283, Rosen 1117, Schatz 1120, Booker/Tuberville 1175, Tillis/Welch 1264, Reed 1202, Britt 1270, Kelly/Tillis 1116, Hirono/Moran 1113, Warnock/Cornyn 1351, Smith/Ricketts 1134, Rosen/Crapo 1220, Cardin 1277, Padilla 1140, Shaheen 1131, Klobuchar/Moran 1203, Kelly 1133, Padilla 1139, Ossoff/Braun 1255, Merkley/Crapo 1352, Stabenow 1115.

10:59 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the war in Israel.

10:47 a.m. Senator Cotton spoke about communism.

10:32 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke about the Senate minibus and the war in Israel.

10:16 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke about the Senate minibus, AI and Infrastructure funding in NYC.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following any leader remarks will resume consideration of the nomination of Jessica Looman to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Dept. of Labor.

At 11:30 a.m. the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Looman nomination.

We expect further votes today on amendments to H.R. 4366, the appropriations minibus.