Senate Record — Wednesday, 11/8/2023

29 pages: S5407-5435

Senate Congressional Record (PDF) + Senate Daily Press Log

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

10:04 a.m. - Majority Leader Schumer spoke about elections, AI, the US role in global issues and judicial nominations.

10:20 a.m. - Republican Leader McConnell spoke about national security, China and anti-Semitism at college campuses.

10:32 a.m. - Senator Durbin spoke about judicial nominations.

10:56 a.m. - Senator Thune spoke about veterans day.

11:04 a.m. - Senator Barrasso spoke on antisemitism.

11:18 a.m. - Senator Schmitt spoke on the situation in Israel.

11:28 a.m. - The Senate began voting on confirmation of the Reyes nomination.

12:30 p.m. - By a vote of 51-48, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Ramon Reyes, Jr. to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. This was a party line vote, Senator Scott of SC did not vote.

12:32 p.m. - The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #373 Charlotte A. Burrows to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.

1:27 p.m. - By a vote of 51-47, the motion to cloture on Executive Calendar #373 Charlotte A. Burrows to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028 was agreed to. Party line vote. Not voting: Senators Ernst and Scott (SC).

1:29 p.m. - Senator Capito spoke about the economy.

1:57 p.m. - Senator Schmitt spoke about the economy.

2:05 p.m. - Senator Ricketts spoke about the national debt, about homeland security, and about the Senate work schedule.

2:15 p.m. - The Senate began voting on confirmation of Charlotte A. Burrows, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

3:15 p.m. - By a vote of 51-47, the Senate confirmed Charlotte A. Burrows, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Party line vote. Senators Ernst and Scott (SC) did not vote.

3:16 p.m. - The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on Brandy R. McMillion, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.

4:10 p.m. - By a vote of 54-44, the Senate invoked cloture on Brandy R. McMillion, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. Republican senators voting in favor: Collins, Graham and Murkowski. Senators Ernst and Scott (SC) did not vote.

4:12 p.m. - Senator Stabenow spoke in support of the McMillion nomination. She also spoke on S. J. Res. 38.

4:15 p.m. - Senator Baldwin spoke on S.J. Res. 38.

4:21 p.m. - Senator Carper spoke on S.J. Res. 38.

4:37 p.m. - Senator Moran paid tribute to Nester Wygan Jr.

5:01 p.m. - Senator Hawley spoke on university protests and TikTok. He then asked unanimous consent for the Senate to take up and pass S. 85. Sen. Paul objected.

5:26 p.m. - Senator Rubio spoke on S.J. Res. 38.

5:30 p.m. - Senator Stabenow spoke on S.J. Res. 38.

5:31 p.m. - The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.J. Res. 38.

6:16 p.m. - By a vote of 50-48, the Senate passed S.J. Res. 38, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Highway Administration relating to Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers. Democrats/Independents voting in favor: Senators Brown, Manchin, Sinema, and Tester. Senator Paul voted against. Not voting: Senators Ernst and Scott (SC).

6:51 p.m. - By a vote of 52-46, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Monica Ramirez Almadani to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. Senator Graham voted in favor. Senators Ernst & Scott (SC) did not vote.

6:54 p.m. - Senator Whitehouse began wrap up:

The Senate passed/agreed to the following items by unanimous consent:

• S.Res. 456, A resolution designating November 2023 as National College Application Month.

• S.Res. 457, A resolution honoring the distinguished service of Captain Samuel Farmer of the United States Marine Corps and the Marines and sailors of 1st Platoon, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.

• S.Res. 311, A bill to correct the inequitable denial of enhanced retirement and annuity benefits to certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers, as amended by the Committee-reported substitute amendment, which was agreed to by unanimous consent

• S. 670, A bill to improve services for trafficking victims by establishing, in Homeland Security Investigations, the Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma Program and the Victim Assistance Program, as amended by the Peters amendment in the nature of a substitute (1363), which was agreed to by unanimous consent.

• S. 749, A bill to ensure that the National Advisory Council on Indian Education includes at least 1 member who is the president of a Tribal College or University and to require the Secretaries of Education and Interior to consider the National Advisory Council on Indian Education’s reports in the preparation of budget materials.

The Senate confirmed the following nominations, en bloc, by voice vote:

• Mark W. Libby a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

• Edgard D. Kagan a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Malaysia.

6:56 p.m. - Senate adjourned until 10 a.m., Thursday, November 9, 2023.