9:47 p.m. The Senate adjourned.
9:30 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer wrapped up for the evening. Cloture was filed on the following nominations:
Jonathan Hawley to be a District Judge for central Illinois.
David Huitema to be Director of the Office of Government Ethics.
Cathy Fung to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court.
Confirmed by voice vote to the US Tax Court: Benjamin Guider and Jeffrey Arbeit.
The Senate agreed to the following resolutions, en bloc, by unanimous consent:
· A resolution designating October 2024 as ‘‘National Principals Month’’. (S.Res.876)
· A resolution designating the week of October 6, 2024, through October 12, 2024, as “National Community Policing Week’.’ (S.Res.877)
· A resolution honoring the life, legacy, and contributions of James Earl Jones. (S.Res.878)
· A resolution permitting the collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings. (S.Res.879)
· A resolution supporting afterschool programs and Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool programs held on October 24, 2024. (S.Res.880)
· A resolution designating October 26, 2024, as “Day of the Deployed”. (S.Res.881)
· A resolution designating the week of September 23 through September 27, 2024, as ‘‘National Clean Energy Week’’. (S.Res.882)
· A resolution recognizing Big Brothers Big Sisters of America on its 120th anniversary. (S.Res.883)
· A resolution designating the week of September 22 through September 28, 2024, as ‘‘Gold Star Families Remembrance Week’’. (S.Res.884)
· A resolution designating October 2, 2024, as ‘‘Energy Efficiency Day’’ in celebration of the economic and environmental benefits that have been driven by private sector innovation and Federal energy efficiency policies. (S.Res.885)
· A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of October 24, 2024, to October 31, 2024, as ‘‘Bat Week’’. (S.Res.886)
· A resolution expressing support for the designation of October 7 through October 12, 2024, as ‘‘National 4–H Week’’. (S.Res.887)
The Senate passed/agreed to the following items by unanimous consent:
· A bill to require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a vetting process for prospective applicants for high-cost universal service program funding. (S.275, as amended by the Committee-reported substitute amendment, which was agreed to by unanimous consent)
· A bill to amend the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act to require hygienic handling of breast milk and baby formula by security screening personnel of the Transportation Security Administration and personnel of private security companies providing security screening, and for other purposes. (S.1570)
· A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to allow the Secretary of Transportation to designate an authorized operator of the commercial driver’s license information system, and for other purposes. (S.3475)
· A bill to amend title 11, District of Columbia Official Code, to revise references in such title to individuals with intellectual disabilities. (S.3698)
· A bill to designate the United States courthouse annex located at 310 South Main Street in London, Kentucky, as the “Eugene E. Siler, Jr. United States Courthouse Annex”. (S.4293)
· A bill to designate the Federal building located at 50 United Nations Plaza in San Francisco, California, as the “Senator Dianne Feinstein Federal Building”, and for other purposes. (S.4489)
· A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a national congenital heart disease research, surveillance, and awareness program, and for other purposes. (H.R.7189)
· A concurrent resolution authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for the unveiling of a statue of Martha Hughes Cannon. (H.Con.Res.127)
· A bill to increase, effective as of December 1, 2024, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes. (H.R.7777)
· A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to repay the estates of deceased beneficiaries for certain benefits paid by the Secretary and misused by fiduciaries of such beneficiaries. (H.R.4190)
· A resolution honoring the life of James Ralph Sasser, former Senator for the State of Tennessee. (S.Res.888)
· A resolution commemorating the tenth anniversary of the murder of James Wright Foley and calling for the moral courage to prioritize the return of Americans held captive abroad and take all necessary efforts to deter international hostage taking and arbitrary detention. (S.Res.805, as amended by the Shaheen-Graham amendment to the resolution and Shaheen-Graham amendment to the preamble, which were agreed to by unanimous consent)
The Senate passed/agreed to the following items by voice vote:
· A resolution authorizing the President of the Senate to certify the report of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate regarding the refusal of Dr. Ralph de la Torre to appear and testify before the Committee. (S.Res.837)
· A bill to increase the penalty for prohibited provision of a phone in a correctional facility, and for other purposes. (S.5284)
· A bill to amend section 11223 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 to make a technical correction relating to the acquisition by the Coast Guard of an icebreaker. (S.5292)
The Senate confirmed the following nominations, en bloc, by voice vote:
· Ann C. Fisher to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission for a term expiring October 14, 2030.
· Ashley Jay Elizabeth Poling to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission for a term expiring November 22, 2030.
The Senate confirmed the following nominations, en bloc, by voice vote:
· Jeffrey Samuel Arbeit to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years.
· Benjamin A. Guider III to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years.
PN587 — Foreign Service — There are 2 nominations, beginning with John R. Bass II, and ending with Brian A. Nichols.
7:46 p.m. Senator Ossoff achieved passage of S.5284, regarding phone privileges in prisons by voice vote.
7:25 p.m. Senator Kennedy paid tribute to the Bloomberg Foundation. He then paid tribute to departing floor staffer Katherine Foster, and later spoke about the privacy of tax records. He asked unanimous consent to take up and pass HR 1892 regarding tax records. Senator Wyden objected.
7:02 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke on artificial intelligence, deepfakes and online safety. He asked unanimous consent to take up and pass several bills, including S. 4569, the “Take it Down Act”. Senator Booker objected.
6:26 p.m. By a vote of 78-18, , the Senate passed H.R. 9747, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act 2025.
6:27 p.m. Republican Leader McConnell paid tribute to several staffers.
- Senators Coons, Cotton, Scott (FL) and Vance did not vote.
- Senators Blackburn, Braun, Britt, Budd, Crapo, Fischer, Hagerty, Hawley, Johnson, Lee, Marshall, Mullin, Paul, Ricketts, Risch, Schmitt, Scott (SC) and Tuberville voted against.
5:18 p.m. The Senate began voting on H.R. 9747, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act 2025.
5:16 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the continuing resolution. All time was yielded back.
5:13 p.m. Senator Murray spoke in favor of passing the continuing resolution.
5:07 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about National Lobster Day. She also spoke about the continuing resolution.
4:43 p.m. Senators Sanders, Cassidy, and Markey spoke about Steward Health Care and Dr. de la Torre.
S. Res. 837, an original resolution authorizing the President of the Senate to certify the report of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate regarding the refusal of Dr. Ralph de la Torre to appear and testify before the Committee, was agreed to by unanimous consent.
4:40 p.m. By a vote of 58-37 the nomination of Byron B. Conway to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin was confirmed. Senators not voting: Coons, Cotton, Scott (FL), Tillis, and Vance.
3:38 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the Conway nomination.
3:35 p.m. Senator Baldwin spoke in favor of the Conway nomination.
3:15 p.m. Senators Lee and Budd continued on election security. Senator Budd asked UC to take up and pass S. 1398. Senator Padilla objected.
2:35 p.m. Senators Lee, Marshall and Blackburn spoke on election security. Senator Lee asked unanimous consent to take up and pass HR 8281, the SAVE Act. Senator Padilla objected.
2:20 p.m. Senator Peters spoke on the D.C. Superior Court and asked unanimous consent for the Senate to vote on the nomination of Rahkel Bouchet to be an Associate Judge for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for a term of fifteen years. Senator Hagerty objected. Senator Peters achieved confirmation of the following nominations en bloc by voice vote:
- Ann C. Fisher to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission for a term expiring October 14, 2030 (Reappointment)
- Ashley Jay Elizabeth Poling to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission for a term expiring November 22, 2030 (Reappointment)
2:14 p.m. Senator Carper spoke on the Office of Government Ethics and asked unanimous consent for the Senate to vote on the nomination of David Huitema to be Director of the Office of Government Ethics for a term of five years. Senator Lee objected.
2:13 p.m. By a vote of 58-37, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Byron B. Conway to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Republican senators voting in favor: Braun, Capito, Collins, Cramer, Graham, Johnson, Murkowski, Romney, and Tillis. Senators not voting: Coons, Cotton, Schatz, Scott (FL), and Vance.
1:10 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on Byron Conway to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
1:09 p.m. By a vote of 39-56, the Senate did not agree to H. Con. Res. 41, a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Republican senators voting against: Capito, Collins, Hawley, Murkowski, Rounds, Wicker, and Young. Senators not voting: Coons, Cotton, Manchin, Scott (FL), and Vance.
12:12 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to proceed to S. Con. Res. 41, a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
12:01 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke against S. Con. Res. 41.
11:39 a.m. Senator Paul spoke about S. Con. Res 41, a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
11:27 a.m. Senators Rosen and Cortez-Masto spoke about the anniversary of the shooting in Las Vegas.
11:20 a.m. Senator Schatz spoke about disaster aid for Maui and elsewhere. He also paid tribute to Appropriations Committee staffer, Dabney Hegg.
11:05 a.m. Senator Tuberville spoke about Ukraine.
10:57 a.m. Senator Britt spoke about Lulu Griffin, a young girl from Alabama who was attacked by a shark. She then spoke about S. 4832, Lulu’s Law.
10:49 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on inflation.
10:38 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on the CR, Democrat accomplishments and Buffalo Night.
10:25 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke about Vice President Kamala Harris and China.
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 Executive Calendar #787 Byron Conway to be a District Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
At 11:40 a.m. Senator Paul will be recognized for up to 20 minutes after which the Senate is expected to proceed to two votes:
- Motion to proceed to S.Con.Res.41, a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
- Cloture on the Conway nomination.
We expect an all Senators briefing at 3:00 p.m.
At 3:45 p.m. the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Conway nomination.
The Senate reached the following agreement with respect to the CR:
When the Senate receives H.R.9747 from the House, the Senate will proceed to its immediate consideration, there will be up to two hours of debate with no amendments or motions in order to the bill; and upon use or yielding back of time the Senate will vote on passage of the bill, with 60-affirmative votes required for passage.
During Tuesday’s session, cloture was filed on Executive Calendar #789, April Perry to be a District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.
Additional roll call votes are possible during Wednesday’s session.
