Wednesday, July 15, 2026

6:27 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday July 16, 2026. Following leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Kara Westercamp to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade.

At 11:45 a.m. the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Kara Westercamp to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade. If cloture is invoked on the Westercamp nomination, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Minority Leader no earlier than Monday July 20, 2026.

If Senator Wyden or his designee makes a motion to proceed to S.J.Res.198 – A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to “Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model”, the Senate will vote on the motion to proceed at 1:30 p.m.

6:23 p.m. Senator Husted started wrap up:

  • Agreed to by unanimous consent: S.Res.772 – A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that under no circumstances should Samuel Bankman-Fried receive executive clemency, including a pardon or commutation, and affirming the Senate’s commitment to the rule of law and integrity of the United States financial system.
  • Agreed to by unanimous consent: S.Res.799 – A resolution expressing the condolences of the Senate and honoring the memory of the victims on the fourth anniversary of the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4, 2022.
  • Agreed to en bloc by unanimous consent:
    • S. Res. 804
    • S. Res. 805

6:09 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke on climate change. He then asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to agree to S.Res.556 – A resolution recognizing that Florida’s insurance market is gravely stressed by climate risks. Senator Banks objected.

6:01 p.m. Senator Husted paid tribute to Sergeant Scott Ries.

4:27 p.m. Senator Blackburn paid tribute to Senator Graham. She also spoke about citizenship.

3:55 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke on the war with Iran.

3:38 p.m. Senator Moran paid tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham. He then spoke on the founding of Burdett, Kansas.

2:52 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey Kuntz to be a District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, 51-46. This was a party line vote with Senators Gallego, McConnell and McCormick not voting.

2:00 p.m. The Senate returned from the recess and began voting on confirmation of the Kuntz nomination.

1:06 p.m. The Senate recessed until 2:00 p.m.

12:57 p.m. Senator Peters paid tribute to his departing staffer David Weinberg.

12:55 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Kuntz nomination, 51-46. This was a party line vote with Senators Gallego, McConnell and McCormick not voting.

11:50 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Jeffrey Kuntz to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

10:42 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the NDAA.

10:33 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke on the nomination of Todd Blanche, the SAVE Act, Iran, and ICE operations.

10:13 a.m. Majority Leader Thune spoke on the NDAA.

10:00 a.m. The Senate is now in session.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and following any leader remarks will resume consideration of the nomination of Jeffrey Kuntz to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

At 12:00 noon, the Senate will vote on cloture on the Kuntz nomination.

If cloture is invoked, the Senate will vote on confirmation of Kuntz at 2:00 p.m.

*****

Cloture was filed on Tuesday on the nomination of Kara Westercamp to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade.

Majority Leader Thune entered in a motion to reconsider the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to (S.4784), to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year 2027. (NDAA).