Senate Record — Wednesday, 9/20/2023

27 pages: S4609-4635

Senate Congressional Record (PDF) + Senate Daily Press Log

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

10:05 a.m. - Majority Leader Schumer spoke about the appropriations bill and process.

10:29 a.m. - Republican Leader McConnell spoke about pharmaceutical drugs and Ukraine.

10:38 a.m. - Senator Durbin spoke about drug costs and US Attorneys. He then asked for unanimous consent for the Senate to confirm the following nominations en bloc. Senator Vance objected. - Todd Gee, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi - Tara K. McGrath, of Califonria, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of California - Rebecca C. Lutzko, of Ohio, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio - April M. Perry, of Illinois, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

11:19 a.m. - Senator Thune spoke about the FAA and reauthorization.

11:31 a.m. - Senator Paul spoke about the CR and Ukraine funding.

11:44 a.m. - Senator Cornyn spoke about the potential government shutdown.

12:06 p.m. - Senator Murray spoke on appropriations.

12:13 p.m. - The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to suspend Rule XVI with respect to Murray amendment #1092 in the nature of a substitute to H.R.4366, the legislative vehicle for MilCon VA, Agriculture, and THUD appropriations.

1:24 p.m. - By a vote of 49-48, the Senate did not agree to the motion to to invoke cloture on the motion to suspend Rule 16 in relation to Murray amendment #1092 to H.R. 4366, the legislative vehicle for Legislative vehicle for MilCon VA, Agriculture, and THUD appropriations. Majority Leader Schumer changed his vote to ‘No’ so he could bring it up for reconsideration. Senators Booker, Murkowski, and Scott (SC) did not vote.

1:24 p.m. - Majority Leader Schumer filed cloture on the following nominations: - Executive Calendar # 282 Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. to be General. (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) - Executive Calendar #281 Gen. Randy A. George to be General. (Chief of Staff of the Army) - Executive Calendar #249 Gen. Eric M. Smith to be General. (Commandant of the Marine Corps) - Leader Schumer then spoke on the nominations and appropriations.

1:40 p.m. - Senator Murray spoke on appropriations.

2:01 p.m. - Senator Peters spoke on Nagorno-Karabakh.

3:17 p.m. - Majority Leader Schumer achieved UC that the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the Brown nomination at 3:30 p.m., and if invoked the confirmation vote on the Brown nomination occur at 6:30 p.m.; followed by a cloture vote on the George nomination.

3:20 p.m. - Senator Shaheen spoke on the need for disaster relief for New Hampshire apple farmers and other agricultural needs.

3:30 p.m. - The Senate began voting on cloture on the Brown nomination.

4:46 p.m. - By a vote of 89-8, The Senate invoked cloture on Gen Charles Brown to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Voting no: Braun, Cruz, Hawley, Lee, Marshall, Schmitt, Tuberville & Vance.

4:47 p.m. - Senator Tuberville spoke about his hold on military promotions.

5:01 p.m. - The Senate recessed until 6:15 p.m.

6:15 p.m. - The Senate returned from recess.

6:30 p.m. - The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

7:19 p.m. - By a vote of 83-11, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Gen. Charles Q. Brown to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Senators voting no: Braun, Cruz, Hawley, Johnson, Lee, Lummis, Marshall, Rubio, Schmitt, Vance & Tuberville. Senators not voting: Cotton, Feinstein, Moran, Murkowski, Scott (SC), and Stabenow.

7:21 p.m. - The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Gen. Randy A. George to be Chief of Staff of the Army.

8:22 p.m. - By a vote of 92-1, the Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Gen. Randy George to be Chief of Staff of the Army. Voting against: Senator Lee. Not voting: Senators Cotton, Feinstein, Murkowski, Paul, Schatz, Scott (SC), and Stabenow.

8:23 p.m. - Majority Leader Schumer began wrap up: - Adopted by unanimous consent: S.Res. 353, National Estuaries Week - Adopted by unanimous consent: S.Res. 354, LSU Men’s Baseball

8:26 p.m. - The Senate stands adjourned until 11 a.m., Thursday, September 21, 2023.