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Friday, December 20th, 2024

1:23 a.m. The Senate stands adjourned. The Senate will next meet at the following dates for pro forma sessions


• Monday, December 23rd 2024 at 9:30 a.m.
• Tuesday December 26th 2024 at 2:30 p.m.
• Monday December 30th 2024 at 12:30 p.m.
• Thursday January 2nd 2025 at 12:00 noon
• Friday January 3rd 2025 at 11:45 a.m.

Following the January 3rd pro forma, the Senate stands adjourned Sine Die and next convene at 12:00 noon. The Senate is expected to conduct the swearing in of new Senators on this day.

1:11 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer started wrap up:

  • Confirmed by voice vote en bloc: PN’s 794,795, 796 excepting Peter Gauthier; Mark Gray; Steven Rynecki; Lori Du Trieuille, 898 excepting Kenneth MacLean; Amanda Van Den Dool; Adriana Harvey, 1535, 1536, 1538, 1539 excepting Sean Jones; Karl Fickenscher, 1540 excepting Kenneth MacLean, 1975, 2031, 2146, 2148, 2233, 2234, 2235, 2004, 1537 excepting Janee P. Pierre-Louis, 1978, 2147.
  • The Senate received consent that the Junior Senator from VA and the Senior Senator from Ohio, and the Senior Senator from Maryland be authorized to duly sign enrolled bills or joint resolutions from December 20, 2024 through January 3rd 2025.
  • The Senate received consent that notwithstanding the upcoming adjournment the Senate, and the President of the Senate, The President Pro Tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law by concurrent action of the two houses, or by order of the senate.
  • Passed by voice vote: H.R. 4984 – D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act
  • Passed by UC – S. 5098 – Taxpayer Resources Used in Emergencies Accountability Act
  • Passed by UC – H.R. 5887– Government Service Delivery Improvement Act
  • By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to concur to the House amendment to the title and the motion was agreed to – S. 2181 – Keeping Military Families Together Act of 2023
  • Passed by UC- S. 3658 – SAFE Orbit Act, with Cornyn Substitute Amendment.
  • Passed by UC – S.  5649, a bill to amend the Marine Debris Act, and so forth for other purposes.
  • Passed by UC – H.R. 670 – Think Differently Database Act
  • Passed by UC en bloc
    • H.R. 4955 – To name the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, as the “Henry Parham VA Clinic”.
    • H.R. 8667 – To rename the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Cadillac, Michigan, as the “Duane E. Dewey VA Clinic”
    • H.R. 9124 – To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Auburn, California, as the “Louis A. Conter VA Clinic”.
  • Passed by UC –H.R. 4136, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson Memorial VA Clinic Act
  • Passed by UC- H.R. 9076 –  Supporting America’s Children and Families Act
  • Passed by UC – H.R. 5103 – FISHES Act

12:53 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer reflected upon the 118th congress.

12:44 a.m. Senator Hassan spoke about drug overdoses. She then asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to pass H.R. 4531, Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act. Senator Paul objected.

12:43 p.m. Senator Bennett asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to pass H.R 3433, Give Kids a Chance Act of 2024. Senator Paul objected.

12:38 p.m. The Senate confirmed the following nominations en bloc by voice vote

  • David Michael Capozzi to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years.
  • Ronald L. Batory to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years.
  • Elaine Marie Clegg to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years.
  • Lanhee J. Chen to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years.

12:38 p.m. By a vote of 85-11 the Senate passed H.R. 10545 (The Continuing Resolution )

  • Senators voting against – Bruan, Crapo, Hawley, Johnson, Kennedy, Lee, Paul, Risch, Romney, Sanders, and Schmitt
  • Senators Manchin, Rubio, Schiff and Vance did not vote.

12:18 a.m. Senators Murray, Collins and Schumer spoke on passage of the CR and the last vote of the 118th congress.

12:17 a.m. The Senate is now voting on passage of H.R. 10545(The CR) (60 votes passage)

12:15 a.m. The Senate passed H.R. 82 by a tally of 70-26.

12:04 a.m. The Senate began voting on passage of H.R. 82.

12:03 a.m. By a vote of 66-30, the Senate waived the Budget Act with respect to the Lee Budget Point of Order to H.R.82, Social Security Fairness Act of 2023

11:53 p.m. The Senate is now voting the Motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Lee Budget Point of Order

11:49 p.m. The Senate did not agree to the Crapo amendment, 34-62.

11:39 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Crapo amendment #3331, with a 60 vote threshold.

11:37 p.m. The Senate did not agree to the Cruz amendment, 32-64. Senators not voting: Manchin, Rubio, Schiff and Vance.

11:26 p.m. The Senate is now voting on adoption of the Cruz amendment #3360.

11:25 p.m. The Senate did not agree to the Paul amendment #3352 by a tally of 28-67.

  • Senators voting in favor: Barrasso, Blackburn, Braun, Budd, Cassidy, Cramer, Crapo, Cruz, Daines, Ernst, Graham, Grassley, Hagerty, Hoeven, Johnson, Lankford, Lee, Lummis, Marshall, Moran, Paul, Risch, Romney, Schmitt, Scott (FL), Scott (SC), Thune and Tuberville.
  • Senators Cortez Masto, Manchin, Rubio, Schiff, and Vance did not vote.

11:13 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Paul amendment #3352.

11:12 p.m. The Senate did not agree to the Paul amendment #3336 by a tally of 3-93.

  • Senators Lee, Lummis and Paul voted yes.
  • Senators Manchin, Rubio, Schiff and Vance did not vote.

10:35 p.m. The Senate is now voting on adoption of Amendment # 3336, to H.R. 82

10:25 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer received consent for the following:

  • The Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 82, The Social Security Fairness Act
    • The Following amendment votes will happen in order with a 60 vote affirmative threshold.
      • Paul #3336
      • Paul #3352
      • Cruz #3360
      • Crapo #3331
    • Following the Crapo vote, Senator Lee is expected to raise a point of order. Upon disposition of the point of order, the Senate is expected to vote on passage of H.R. 82, with 60 votes needed.
  • Following passage of H.R. 82, the Senate is expected to vote on passage of H.R. 10545 (C.R) with 60 votes needed.

9:58 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about social security.

8:59 p.m. Senator Wicker spoke on the Republic of Georgia.

8:57 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke on H.R. 82.

8:34 p.m. Senator Paul spoke on government funding.

8:14 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke about healthcare and the CR. He then received consent for the Senate to pass H.R. 3391, Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, by voice vote.

7:53 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke on the Owyhee’s.

7:48 p.m. Senator Barrasso got unanimous consent to pass the following bills en bloc as amended:

  • S. 1348 – Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Act of 2023
  • S. 1890 – Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act

7:41 p.m. Senator Tillis spoke on his objections to H.R. 82.

7:30 p.m. Senator Crapo spoke about his amendment to H.R. 82.

7:25 p.m. Senator Gillibrand achieved unanimous consent in passing the following bills en bloc:

  • H.R. 6852 – Holcombe Rucker Park National Commemorative Site Act
  • H.R. 8012 – Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Act

7:21 p.m. Senator Gillibrand spoke about a teacher in New York.

7:19 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer filed cloture on the following:

  • David Michael Capozzi, of Maryland, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors
  • Elaine Marie Clegg, of Idaho, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years

7:14 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on confirming the 235th judicial nomination.

7:12 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer filed cloture on Cal. #693, H.R.82, Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 and filled the amendment tree.

7:10 p.m. By a vote of 49-47 the Senate confirmed of Executive Calendar #850 Serena Raquel Murillo to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California.

6:07 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the Pay Our Military Act.

5:50 p.m. Senator Mullin asked for unanimous consent to proceed to S. 2796, A bill to provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes. Senator Lee objected.

5:30 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about the NDAA and beneficial ownership. Senator Lankford asked for unanimous consent to proceed to H.R. 5119, Protect Small Business and Prevent Illicit Financial Activity Act. Senator Whitehouse objected.

5:22 p.m. Senator Coons paid tribute to President Biden’s service.

4:45 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke on flood insurance and asked unanimous consent for the Senate to pass S. 4773. Senator Paul objected and spoke on it, then offered a modification to the request. Senator Kennedy objected to the modification request. Senator Paul made a further modification request. Senator Kennedy objected.

4:33 p.m. Senator Hickenlooper achieved unanimous consent for the Senate to pass the following:

  • S. 1553 – Resiliency for Ranching and Natural Conservation Health Act
  • H.R. 2997 – CONVEY Act

4:26 p.m. Senator Barrasso achieved unanimous consent for the Senate to pass the following:

  • S. 3195 – A bill to designate the General George C. Marshall House, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, as an affiliated area of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
  • H.R. 6395 – Recognizing the Importance of Critical Minerals in Healthcare Act of 2023.

4:18 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on H.R. 1318.

4:13 p.m. Senator Baldwin achieved unanimous consent for the Senate to pass H.R. 1318, the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Location Act.

4:12 p.m. By a vote of 49 to 47, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Serena Raquel Murillo to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California. Senators Manchin, Rubio, Schiff, and Vance did not vote.

3:28 p.m. The Senate began voting on cloture on the nomination of Serena Raquel Murillo to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California.

3:13 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Cheeks nomination on a party line tally of 49-47. Senators not voting: Manchin, Rubio, Schiff and Vance.

2:16 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Benjamin J. Cheeks to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California.

1:45 p.m. Senators Hagerty, Kaine, Britt, and Tuberville spoke about Vulcan Materials and AMLO.

1:19 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about Pharmacy Benefit Managers.

1:07 p.m. Senator Cortez-Masto spoke about fentanyl and xylazine. She asked unanimous consent to proceed to and pass S. 993. Senator Markey objected.

12:59 p.m. Senators Schatz and Murkowski spoke on S. 1723 The Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding Schools Policy and achieved passage on the bill via voice vote.

12:44 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the bills the Senate did not pass.

12:32 p.m. Senator Peters got unanimous consent to proceed to and pass S. 5639, extend the authority for the protection of facilities and assets from unmanned aircraft.

12:17 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about H.R. 766, Preventative Health Savings act and asked for unanimous consent to pass the bill. Senator Grassley objected and counteroffered with an amendment. Senator Cardin objected to that amendment.

12:16 p.m. By a vote of 49-47 the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Benjamin Cheeks to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California.

11:12 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Benjamin J. Cheeks to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California.

10:46 a.m. Senator Merkley spoke on Israel and Gaza.

10:17 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke on social security.

10:13 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on the continuing resolution, nominations, and social security.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will be in Executive Session considering the nomination of Benjamin J. Cheeks to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California.

At approximately 11:00 a.m. – one roll call vote:

1. Motion to invoke cloture on the Cheeks nomination

If cloture is invoked, there will be up to 2 hours of debate prior to Senate proceeding to two roll call votes:

1. Confirmation of the nomination of Benjamin J. Cheeks to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California

2. Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Serena Raquel Murillo to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California

If cloture is invoked, there will be up to 2 hours of debate prior to Senate proceeding to a roll call vote:

1. Confirmation of the Murillo nomination

Additional roll call votes are expected during today’s session.