Senate Record — Thursday, 12/7/2023
51 pages: S5831-5881
Senate Congressional Record (PDF) + Senate Daily Press Log
10:00 a.m. - The Senate convened.
PRAYER (S5831-2)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 🇺🇸 (S5831-3)
APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE (S5831-4)
RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME (S5831-5)
CONCLUSION OF MORNING BUSINESS (S5831-6)
LEGISLATIVE SESSION (S5831-7)
10:15 a.m. - Majority Leader Schumer spoke about yesterday’s unanimous consent request, supplemental funding and Hanukkah.
10:28 a.m. - Republican Leader McConnell spoke on supplemental funding, Syria, and inflation.
10:43 a.m. - Senator Thune spoke on supplemental funding.
Senator Cardin spoke on Syria.
11:08 a.m. - Senator Paul spoke on US Armed Forces in Syria and made a motion to discharge from the Foreign Relations Committee S.J. Res. 51, a joint resolution directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in Syria that have not been authorized by Congress.
11:28 a.m. - Majority Leader Schumer filed cloture on the nomination of Harry Coker, Jr. to be National Cyber Director.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION (S5836-3)
Senator Risch spoke on Syria.
11:32 a.m. - The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to discharge from the Foreign Relations Committee S.J. Res. 51, a joint resolution directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in Syria that have not been authorized by Congress.
12:31 p.m. - By a vote of 13-84, the Senate did not adopt the motion to discharge from Foreign Relations Committee S.J. Res. 51, Paul War Powers Resolution (re: Syria). Not voting: Senators Cramer, Moran, and Rounds. Voting in favor: Senators Braun, Durbin, Lee, Markey, Merkley, Murphy, Paul, Sanders, Tuberville, Vance, Warren, Welch, and Wyden.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024--CONFERENCE REPORT--MOTION TO PROCEED (S5837)
12:32 p.m. - Senators Reed, Wicker, and Majority Leader Schumer spoke supporting the NDAA Conference Report.
12:42 p.m. - The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to the Conference Report to accompany H.R.2670, FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
1:30 p.m. - By a vote of 82-15, the Senate adopted the motion to proceed to HR 2670 the Defense Authorization conference report. Voting no: Booker, Braun, Hawley, Johnson, Lee, Lujan, Markey, Merkley, Paul, Sanders, Sullivan, Tuberville, Vance, Warren & Wyden. Not voting: Cramer, Moran & Rounds.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024--CONFERENCE REPORT (S5838)
1:30 p.m. - Leader Schumer filed cloture on the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2024 and filled the amendment tree.
1:35 p.m. - Senator Hawley spoke on nuclear contamination in Missouri.
Cloture Motion (Executive Session) (S5840)
1:50 p.m. - The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Richard Federico to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit.
2:37 p.m. - By a vote of 63-32, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Richard E. N. Federico to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit. Republican senators voting yes: Capito, Cassidy, Collins, Cornyn, Graham, Hoeven, Lankford, Marshall, Murkowski, Rubio, Thune, Tillis, and Wicker. Cramer, Moran, and Rounds did not vote.
2:38 p.m. - Senator Hirono spoke on supplemental appropriations.
2:48 p.m. - Senator Grassley spoke on Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits.
3:01 p.m. - Senator Durbin spoke on prescription drugs, the October 7th attack on Israel, and credit card fees.
3:15 p.m. - Senator Durbin began wrap-up:
Received unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the Majority and Republican Leaders, the Senate proceed to the nomination of Martin O’Malley to be Commissioner of Social Security for the remainder of the term expiring January 19, 2025. That there be one hour of debate and that the Senate then vote on confirmation of the nomination.
S. Res. 492, Honoring the Life of First Lady Rosalynn Carter, was agreed to by unanimous consent.
3:30 p.m. - Senator Lee spoke on the UN and his Defund Act.
3:46 p.m. - Senator Sullivan spoke about American Financial Institutions and the Chinese Military.
4:43 p.m. - Senator Gillibrand spoke about victims of the Hamas attack.
4:49 p.m. - The Senate confirmed by voice vote the following nominations:
Col. Andrew O. Saslav to be Brigadier General
Capt. Jason P. Tama to be Rear Admiral
Capt. Arex B. Avanni to be Rear Admiral
Capt. Gregory C. Rothrock to be Rear Admiral
Capt. Jeffrey W. Novak to be Rear Admiral
Capt. Adam A. Chamie to be Rear Admiral
Capt. Zeita Merchant to be Rear Admiral
All nominations on the Secretary’s Desk.
4:50 p.m. - The Senate adjourned until 3 p.m., Monday, December 11, 2023.