Tuesday, September 17, 2024

7:30 p.m.

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of Executive Calendar #706 Michelle Williams Court, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California

At approx. 11:45am the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Court nomination.  If cloture is invoked, Senators should expect a confirmation vote during Wednesday’s session.

During Tuesday’s session, cloture was filed on Executive Calendar #700 Rose E. Jenkins, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years, and withdrawn on Executive Calendar #651 Rebecca L. Pennell, of Washington, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington.

Additional roll call votes are possible during Wednesday’s session.

Wednesday, September 18th at approx. 11:45am – 1 roll call vote:

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #706 Michelle Williams Court, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California

Wednesday, September 18th TBD Afternoon – expected roll call vote:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #706 Michelle Williams Court, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California

Today’s Roll Call Votes

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #778 Mary Kathleen Costello, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; invoked: 54-42.
  2. Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #413 S.4445, Right to IVF Act, upon reconsideration; not invoked: 51-44.
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #778 Mary Kathleen Costello, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; confirmed 52-41.

WRAP UP: 

Legislative Business

Adopted the following resolutions:

S.Res.815 Hispanic Serving Institutions
S.Res.823 Hispanic Heritage Month

Passed S.3187 – Southern Border Transparency Act of 2023

Began the Rule 14 process to place the following bill on the Legislative Calendar of Business:

H.R.5613 Sanctions Lists Harmonization Act

Executive Business

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the following nomination:

  1. Executive Calendar #551 Margaret L. Taylor, of Maryland, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State

7:20 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke on illegal border crossing and the welfare of migrant children placed in unsafe situations.

7:05 p.m. Senator Merkley responded to Senator Grassley and attempted to offer an amendment to S. 5073. Senator Grassley objected.

6:55 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the unsafe temporary conditions that migrant children can be placed in when separated from parents or enter the US unaccompanied. He called up S. 5073 and asked for it’s passage by unanimous consent. Senator Merkley objected.

6:45 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on migration at the Southern border and temporary programs they can be placed in. He called up S.3187. The bill was passed by unanimous consent.

5:30 p.m. The Senate is currently taking a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Mary Kathleen Costello to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The nomination was confirmed 52-41. Senators Collins, Graham, Murkowski and Romney voted in favor.

5:25 p.m. Senator Stabenow spoke on I VF.

5:15 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on IVF.

5:10 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke on IVF.

4:55 p.m. Senator Murray spoke on IVF.

4:21 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on women’s sports. She then asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to pass S. Res. 669, A resolution designating October 10, 2024, as “American Girls in Sports Day”. Senator Murphy objected.

4:08 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the Farm Bill.

4:00 p.m. Senator Budd spoke on Appalachian State University in North Carolina.

3:49 p.m. Senators Duckworth and Klobuchar spoke on IVF.

3:48 p.m. By a vote of 51-44, the Senate did not invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 44445 Right to IVF Act, up reconsideration. Republican senators voting in favor: Collins and Murkowski. Senators not voting: Booker, Manchin, Rounds, Tillis, and Vance.

2:45 p.m. The Senate began voting on cloture on the motion to proceed to S.4445 Right to IVF Act, upon reconsideration..

2:43 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on IVF.

2:32 p.m. Senators Cruz, Cornyn and Britt spoke on IVF.

2:16 p.m. Senators Britt and Cruz spoke on IVF. Senator Cruz asked UC to take up and pass S. 4368. Senator Murray objected.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returned from the recess.

12:39 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.

12:38 p.m. By a vote of 54-42, The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Mary Kathleen Costello to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

  • Republicans in favor: Collins, Graham, Murkowski and Romney.
  • Not voting: Manchin, Rounds, Tillis and Vance.

11:33 a.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Mary Kathleen Costello to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

10:47 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on the second assassination attempt on former President Trump and on national security.

10:23 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke on Russell County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Phipps being killed in the line of duty and on the First Amendment.

10:08 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke on IVF and reproductive healthcare.

10:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will move to Executive Session and resume consideration of the nomination of Mary Kathleen Costello to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

At 11:30am – one vote:

1. Motion to invoke cloture on the Costello nomination.

Following the cloture vote on the Costello nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. to allow for weekly caucus lunches.

At 3:30pm – 1 vote expected:

1. Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.4445 Right to IVF Act, upon reconsideration.

Additional roll call votes are possible during Tuesday’s session.

If cloture is invoked on the Costello nomination, at a time TBD, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination.