Senate Record — Tuesday, 9/12/2023

61 pages: S4359-4419

Senate Congressional Record (PDF) + Senate Daily Press Log

10:00 a.m. - The Senate convened. Prayer.

10:12 a.m. - Majority Leader Schumer spoke about AI, the Cummings nomination, and appropriations.

10:33 a.m. - Republican Leader McConnell spoke about appropriations, funding to Ukraine and rising energy prices.

10:49 a.m. - Senator Thune spoke about student loan forgiveness and the SAVE Act.

11:02 a.m. - Senator Hyde-Smith paid tribute to Jimmy Buffett.

11:10 a.m. - Senator Murphy spoke on Egypt.

11:30 a.m. - The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Tanya J. Bradsher to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

12:29 p.m. - By a vote of 50-46, the Senate confirmed Tanya J. Bradsher to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Senators Cassidy and Rounds voted in favor. Senators Cruz, Duckworth, Markey, and Padilla did not vote.

12:30 p.m. - The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Jeffrey Irvine Cummings to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.

1:16 p.m. - By a vote of 50-46, the Senate confirmed Tanya J. Bradsher to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Republican senators voting in favor: Collins, Graham, and Murkowski. Senators not voting: Cruz, Duckworth, Markey, Padilla and Tillis.

1:17 p.m. - The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m. -

2:15 p.m. - The Senate is now voting on the confirmation of Jeffrey Irvine Cummings to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.

3:04 p.m. - By a vote of 50-45, the Senate confirmed Jeffrey Irvine Cummings to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. Republican senators voting in favor: Collins, Graham, & Murkowski. Senators not voting: Cruz, Duckworth, Markey, Padilla, and Sanders.

3:04 p.m. - Senators Collins and Murray spoke in support of the invoking cloture on the motion to proceed to the appropriations bill.

3:06 p.m. - The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.4366, an act making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for FY ending September 30, 2024.

4:09 p.m. - By a vote of 85-12, the #Senate invoked cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.4366, vehicle for Appropriations Minibus (MilCon/VA, Agriculture, T-HUD). - Senators Duckworth, Markey, and Padilla did not vote - Senators Braun, Budd, Cruz, Ernst, Hawley, Lummis, Marshall, Ricketts, Schmitt, Scott (SC), Scott (FL), and Tuberville voted No.

4:10 p.m. - Senator Murray spoke about the appropriations bill.

4:30 p.m. - Senator Collins also spoke on the appropriations bill.

4:45 p.m. - Senator Durbin spoke on the auto worker’s negotiations.

5:00 p.m. - Senator Paul spoke against the Senate trying to require Covid booster for the Senate pages. He called up his resolution regarding mandates. Senator Murphy objected and spoke in favor of Covid vaccines.

5:10 p.m. - Senator Cornyn spoke about the effects of a government shutdown.

5:34 p.m. - Senators Klobuchar, Wyden, Hickenlooper, Majority Leader Schumer, Senators Stabenow, Whitehouse, Welch, Cortez-Masto and Baldwin spoke on prescription drug medicare coverage.

6:38 p.m. - Senator Whitehouse spoke on adjusting allocations in the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

6:42 p.m. - Senator Whitehouse wrapped up for the night.

6:47 p.m. - The Senate adjourned until 12 noon, Wednesday, 9/13/2023.