Senate Record — Wednesday, 6/21/2023

Pages S2151-2195

Senate Congressional Record (45-page PDF) + Senate Daily Press Log

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

10:37 a.m. Republican Leader McConnell spoke about the trucking industry and Ukraine.

10:46 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about border security and the Biden Administration.

11:08 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the NDAA.

11:19 a.m. Senator Gillibrand spoke in support of the nomination of Natasha C. Merle to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

11:19 a.m. Senator Fischer spoke about her Trucking Emissions CRA and the upcoming Veto message vote.

11:24 a.m. Senator Menendez spoke about the Chile Tax Treaty.

11:30 a.m. The Senate is now voting on the question shall S.J.Res.11, Fischer Trucking Emissions CRA, pass, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding.

12:31 p.m. By a vote of 50-50, the Senate did not pass the veto message to accompanying S.J.Res.11, Fischer Trucking Emissions CRA. Senator Manchin voted in favor.

12:32 p.m. The Senate began a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #30 Natasha C. Merle to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

1:32 p.m. By a vote of 51-50 with the Vice President voting in the affirmative, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Natasha Merle to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

1:33 p.m. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m. to accommodate the weekly caucus luncheons.

2:15 p.m. The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Natasha C. Merle to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

3:34 p.m. By a vote of 50-49, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Natasha Merle to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. Senator Manchin voted no. Senator Graham did not vote.

3:35 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on Treaties Calendar #1, Tax Convention with Chile.

4:24 p.m. By a vote of 97-2, the Senate invoked cloture on Treaties Cal. #1 (Treaty Doc. 112-8), Tax Convention with Chile. Senators Hawley and Paul voted No. Senator Graham did not vote.

4:25 p.m. Majority Leader Schumer called up amendment #136 to Treaty Doc. 112-8, Tax Convention with Chile.

4:25 p.m. Senator Markey spoke on contraception and asked unanimous consent for the Senate to agree to S. 1999, A bill to protect an individual’s ability to access contraceptives and to engage in contraception and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information related to contraception. Senator Braun objected.

4:33 p.m. Senators Cortez Masto and Whitehouse spoke on travel out-of-state for abortion and asked unanimous consent that the Senate pass S. 2053, A bill to protect freedom of travel and reproductive rights. Senator Lee objected.

5:05 p.m. Senator Klobuchar spoke on abortion and asked unanimous consent to take up and pass S. 631. Senator Hyde Smith objected.

5:25 p.m. Senators Stabenow and Wyden spoke on abortion and asked unanimous consent to take up and pass S. 1297. Senator Budd objected.

5:35 p.m. Senators Baldwin, Murray and Durbin spoke on abortion.

6:06 p.m. Senator Durbin achieved UC to confirm all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force.

6:07 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the pork industry and student loans.

6:23 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on abortion.

6:48 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke on loneliness.

7:07 p.m. Senator Bennet spoke on smartphones, social media and artificial intelligence.

7:54 p.m. Senator Bennet wrapped up for the evening. Passed En Bloc by UC: S Res 261, 262, 263 and 264. HR 277 had its second reading.

7:57 p.m. The Senate adjourned, until 10 a.m., Thursday, June 22, 2023.