Blog

Thursday, December 12, 2024

5:23 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 16. They will resume consideration of the House message to accompany H.R. 5009 (NDAA) with a vote on the motion to concur with the House message to occur at 5:30 p.m.

Passed during wrap-up:

  • H.R. 8663-DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024.
  • S. 59-Chance to Compete Act of 2024-To implement merit-based reforms to the civil service hiring system that replace degree-based hiring with skills- and competency-based hiring
  • S. 2513-a Bill to Amend Title 38, United States Code to Improve Benefits Administered by the Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs and for Other Purposes
  • S. 141-Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, as amended
  • S.5046-a Bill to Require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Acting Through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to Apply a Rule Related to Nonclinical Testing, as amended

5:17 p.m. Senator Schumer announced that at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.4367, Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act. (60-vote affirmative threshold)

4:30 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke about the accomplishments of the Indian affairs committee. The following bills were agreed to by voice vote:

  • S. 2783-Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act
  • S. 2908-Indian Buffalo Management Act, as amended
  • S. 4370-Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2024, as amended
  • S. 4365-Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act, as amended

3:12 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke on gun control.

2:40 p.m. By a vote of 50-45, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Matthew James Marzano to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30, 2028. Senator Sinema voted no. Senators not voting: Blackburn, Marshall, McConnell, Mullin, and Vance.

1:45 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of Matthew Marzano to be a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

1:44 p.m. Senator Carper spoke in support of the nomination of Matthew Marzano to be a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

1:33 p.m. Senator Hyde Smith received consent to adopt S. Res. 733, A resolution honoring the life and legacy of Patrick Gottsch, by voice vote.

1:24 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke about public lands. She then asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to pass the following bills en bloc: H.R. 8413, Swanson and Hugh Butler Reservoirs Land Conveyances Act and H.R. 8219, Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act. Senator Padilla objected.

1:10 p.m. Senators Shaheen and Risch spoke about democracy in Georgia.

12:45 p.m. Senator Padilla spoke on recently confirmed district court judges from California. S. 4000, A bill to reaffirm the applicability of the Indian Reorganization Act to the Lytton Rancheria of California, was agreed to by voice vote. S. 3857, as amended, Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act, was agreed to by voice vote.

12:43 p.m. Senator Cardin achieved passage by unanimous consent of S. 920, reauthorizing the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

12:42 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Marzano nomination, 50-46. Independent voting no: Sinema. Senators not voting: Blackburn, Marshall, McConnell and Vance.

11:27 a.m. The Senate began voting on cloture on the nomination of Matthew Marzano to be a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

11:07 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about DOGE

11:00 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about Vice President Harris and the Biden/Harris administration accomplishments.

10:38 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on NDAA, the continuing resolution, and disaster aid.

10:26 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer filed cloture on the following:

  • Motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5009, the legislative vehicle for National Defense Authorization FY 2025 and filed the amendment tree.
  • Motion to proceed to H.R.82, Social Security Fairness Act.

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 Matthew Marzano to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., the Senate will vote on cloture on the Marzano nomination.

If cloture is invoked, the Senate is expected to vote on confirmation of the Marzano nomination this afternoon.