Thursday, March 13, 2025

8:13 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 14. They will resume consideration of the nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense. At 10:45a.m. they will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Feinberg nomination. If cloture is invoked then there will be 3 votes at 1:15 p.m:

  • Confirmation on the nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense
  • Passage of S. 331- the HALT Fentanyl Bill
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1968-Continuing Resolution

8:10 p.m. Passed by unanimous consent-S. Res. 72-Affirming that Hamas Cannot Retain Any Political or Military Control in the Gaza Strip

6:44 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke about flood insurance.

6:37 p.m. Senator Britt spoke about her grandmother’s 100th birthday.

6:25 p.m. Leader Schumer spoke on appropriations.

6:24 p.m. By a vote of 84-15, the Senate invoked cloture on S. 331, the HALT Fentanyl Act. Senators not voting: Alsobrooks, Blunt Rochester, Booker, Hirono, Markey, Merkley, Murphy, Padilla, Sanders, Schiff, Van Hollen, Warnock, Warren, Welch, and Wyden.

Senator Duckworth did not vote.

5:37 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on S. 331, the HALT Fentanyl Bill.

5:33 p.m. By a vote of 54-45 the nomination of Jeffery Kessler to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security was confirmed. Senator Slotkin voted aye. Senator Duckworth did not vote.

4:29 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the confirmation of Jeffery Kessler to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security.

3:45 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on Social Security.

3:35 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke on government funding.

3:26 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke on recent government layoffs.

3:10 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke on the federal budget.

3:09 p.m. By a vote of 54-45, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Jeffery Kessler to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security.
– Democratic Senator Slotkin voted in favor.
-Senator Duckworth did not vote.

1:33 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote to invoke cloture on the nomination of Jeffrey Kessler to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security.

1:32 p.m. By a vote of 56-43, the Senate confirmed William Pulte to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency for a period of five years.

12:45 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the confirmation of William Pulte to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

12:29 p.m. Senator Budd spoke on fentanyl.

11:59 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on China.

11:34 a.m. Senator Tuberville spoke on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

11:31 a.m. Senator Schmitt spoke on the Department of Government Efficiency.

11:31 a.m. By a vote of 57-41, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of William Pulte to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Not voting: Senators Duckworth and Sanders. Democrats voting aye: Alsobrooks, Gallego, Peters, and Slotkin.

10:45 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote to invoke cloture on the nomination of William Pulte to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency

10:33 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on government shutdowns.

10:23 a.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on the federal budget.

10:10 a.m. Majority Leader Thune spoke on the appropriations bill and the HALT Fentanyl Act.

The following bills were placed on the calendar under Rule 14:

  • S.1008, a bill to provide equitable treatment for the people of the Village Corporation established for the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska, and for other purposes.
  • H.R. 1156, Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Act.

10:00 a.m. The Senate has convened.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following any Leader remarks will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #30, William Pulte, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

10:45 a.m. One vote on cloture on the Pulte nomination. 

1:00 p.m. Two votes:
1) Confirmation of the Pulte nomination.
2) Cloture on Executive Calendar #32, Jeffrey Kessler to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security.

4:30 p.m. Two votes:
1) Confirmation of the Kessler nomination.
2) Cloture on S.331 HALT Fentanyl Act.

Cloture was filed on Wednesday on the following:
1)  The nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense.
2) Motion to proceed to Cal. #26, H.R. 1968, Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and  Extensions Act, 2025
3) Executive Calendar #36, John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy.