Wednesday, July 31, 2024

7:41 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

7:38 p.m. Senator Welch wrapped up for the evening. The Senate will convene on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. At that time, following any leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Dorothy Shea to be Deputy Representative to the United Nations. 

At 11:30 a.m. the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Shea nomination.

Following the vote on the Shea nomination, the Senate will resume consideration of the Motion to proceed to Cal. #349, H.R.7024, Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. 

At 1:45 p.m. the Senate will vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 7024.

7:27 p.m. Senator Welch spoke on flooding in Vermont.

7:26 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Shea nomination, 54-36.
Republicans in favor: Budd, Collins, Graham, McConnell, Murkowski, Rounds, Sullivan, Tillis and Young.
Senators not voting: Booker, Fetterman, Hoeven, Manchin, Menendez, Romney, Scott (SC), Stabenow, Vance & Warner.

6:40 p.m. The Senate began a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Dorothy Shea to be Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and the Deputy Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations.

6:39 p.m. By a vote of 53-39, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Joseph Saporito to be a District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Republicans voting in favor: Senators Collins, Graham, Kennedy, Murkowski, Rounds, and Tillis.

Not voting: Senators Fetterman, Hoeven, Kelly, Menendez, Romney, Scott of SC, Vance, and Warner.

5:36 p.m. The Senate began voting on confirmation of the nomination of Joseph Saporito to be a District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

5:32 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke in support of Dorothy Shea to be Deputy Representative of the US to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador and the Deputy Representative of the US in the Security Council of the United Nations.

5:31 p.m. Senator Cardin received unanimous consent for the Senate to agree to the following resolutions en bloc:

  • S. Res. 750
  • S. Res. 789
  • S. Res. 790

5:15 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke about endangered species and protecting animals.

5:08 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about inflation. He then received unanimous consent for the Senate to pass the following en bloc:

  • S. Res. 785
  • S. Res. 786
  • S. Res. 787
  • S. Res. 788

4:44 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke about Artificial Intelligence. She then asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to pass S. 2770, Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act. Senator Fischer objected. Senate Klobuchar then asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to pass S. 3875, AI Transparency in Elections Act of 2024. Senator Fischer objected.

4:40 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke about Artificial Intelligence.

4:40 p.m. By a vote of 52-39, the Senate invoked cloture on Joseph Saporito to be a District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

  • Senators Collins, Graham, Kennedy, Murkowski, and Tillis voted in favor.
  • Senators Fetterman, Hoeven, Kelly, Lee, Menendez, Romney, Scott (SC), Vance, and Warner did not vote.

3:43 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Joseph Saporito to be a District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

3:39 p.m. By a vote of 50-41, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Meredith Vacca to be a District Judge for the Western District of New York.

  • Senators Collins, Graham & Murkowski voted in favor
  • Senators Cornyn, Fetterman, Hoeven, Lee, Menendez, Romney, Scott (SC), Vance & Warner did not vote

2:41 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the Vacca nomination.

2:40 p.m. Senator Tillis paid tribute to departing doorkeeper Laverne Allen.

1:38 p.m. Senators Capito, Wicker, Budd. Sullivan, Scott of Florida, Fischer and Tuberville spoke about the Defense Authorization and national security.

1:24 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, yesterdays passage of KOSA/COPPA and the Wyden tax bill.

12:32 p.m. Senators Wyden, Cantwell, Casey, Brown. Whitehouse. Bennet, Hassan and Padilla spoke on the Wyden tax bill.

12:31 p.m. By a vote of 51-43, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Meredith Vacca to be a District Judge for the West District of New York.

Republicans voting in favor: Senators Collins, Graham, and Murkowski.

Not voting: Senators Fetterman, Lee, Menendez, Romney, Vance and Warner.

11:35 a.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on motion to invoke cloture of the Vacca nomination.

11:18 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke about Vice President Kamala Harris and judicial nominations.

11:07 a.m. Majority Leader Schumer spoke about antisemitism, the Bipartisan tax package, and the confirmation of Meredith Vacca to be a District Judge for the Western District of New York.

11:06 a.m. S. 4853, A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue priority review vouchers to encourage treatments for rare pediatric diseases, was placed on the calendar under rule XIV.

11:00 a.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 11:00 a.m. and following any leader remarks will resume consideration of the nomination of Meredith Vacca to be a District Judge for the Western District of New York.

At 11:30 a.m. the Senate will vote on cloture on the Vacca nomination.

At 2:30 p.m. the Senate will proceed to two votes:
1. Confirmation of the Vacca nomination.
2. Cloture on the nomination of Joseph Saporito to be a District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

At 5:30 p.m. the Senate will proceed to two votes:
1. Confirmation of the Saporito nomination.
2. Cloture on the nomination of Dorothy Shea to be Deputy Representative of the US to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador and the Deputy Representative of the US in the Security Council of the United Nations.