Thursday, March 14, 2024

4:58 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 9:25 a.m. on Friday, March 15th for a pro forma session only.

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, it will next convene for business at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19th. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session for the consideration of the nomination of Nicole G. Berner to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, post-cloture.

At 5:30 p.m. – 1 vote:

  1. Confirmation of the Berner nomination.

During wrap up:

H. Con. Res. 84, Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the 23d Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Services Company, known collectively as the “Ghost Army”, in recognition of unique and highly distinguished service during World War II, agreed to by unanimous consent.

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4:35 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the JEDI Cloud contract.

4:32 p.m. Senator Carper began wrap-up:

  • H. Con. Res. 84, Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the 23d Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Services Company, known collectively as the “Ghost Army”, in recognition of unique and highly distinguished service during World War II, agreed to by unanimous consent.

4:23 p.m. Senator Carper spoke on the Recycling Composting Accountability Act.

4:02 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about Israel, the southern border, and government funding.

3:44 p.m. Senator Murray spoke on the appropriations bills.

3:31 p.m. Senator Graham spoke about the war in Israel and Gaza.

2:56 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke about the war in Israel and Gaza.

2:52 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer filed cloture on the following:

  • Edward Sunyol Kiel, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey
  • Eumi K. Lee, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California.

2:51 p.m. By a vote of 48-40, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Nicole Berner to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit. Senator Manchin voted no. Senators not voting: Boozman, Cotton, Cramer, Daines, Markey, Mullin, Romney, Rubio, Scott (SC), Shaheen, Sullivan and Wicker.

1:56 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Nicole Berner to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.

1:52 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke about the budget.

1:51 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke about Israel.

1:36 p.m. Senator Young spoke about the border.

1:32 p.m. Senator Coons spoke about Americorps.

11:11 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke about Alaskan athletes.

11:10 p.m. By a vote of 89-1, the Senate confirmed Dennis Hankins to be Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti.

  • Senator Kennedy voted against
  • Senators Boozman, Cotton, Cramer, Daines, Markey, Mullin, Rubio, Scott (SC), Shaheen, and Sullivan did not vote

11:58 a.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of Dennis Hankins to be Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti.

11:53 a.m. Senator Cardin spoke in support of Dennis Hankins to be Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti.

11:34 a.m. Senators Budd, Braun and Marshall spoke about immigration policies and the Laken Riley Act. Senator Budd then asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to pass H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act. Senator Durbin objected.

11:27 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the Presidents budget.

11:17 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

11:02 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke on Israel and Ukraine.

10:02 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on Israel.

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 Dennis Hankins to be Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti.

At approximately 12:00 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Hankins nomination.

Following the Hankins vote, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Nicole Berner to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.

At approximately 1:45 p.m., the Senate will vote on cloture on the Berner nomination.

At a time to be determined the Senate will vote on confirmation of the following nominations:
1. Leon Schydlower to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas.
2. Ernest Gonzalez to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas.