July 21, 2025

Routine Proceedings, pages S4493-S4513 Measures Introduced

Eleven bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2358-2368, and S. Res. 327-330.

Measures Passed

Women Veterans Appreciation Day: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 276, designating June 12, 2025, as ``Women Veterans Appreciation Day'', and the resolution was then agreed to.

Congratulating LSU on National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Baseball World Series

Senate agreed to S. Res. 328, congratulating Louisiana State University in Shreveport for the first undefeated season in collegiate baseball history and for winning the 2025 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Baseball World Series.

Congratulating LSU on National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I College World Series

Senate agreed to S. Res. 329, congratulating Louisiana State University on their victory in the 2025 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I College World Series.

Social Media Harms Victim Remembrance Day

Senate agreed to S. Res. 330, designating June 23, 2025, as ``Social Media Harms Victim Remembrance Day''.

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act: Agreement

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at approximately 10 a.m., on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 3944, making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026; and that notwithstanding Rule XXII, the vote on the motion to invoke cloture with respect to the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill occur at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Democratic Leader.

Message from the President

Senate received the following messages from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the issuance of a Proclamation providing exemption for certain stationary sources from compliance with the final rule published by the Environmental Protection Agency titled ``National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Taconite Iron Ore Processing,'' 89 FR 16408 (Taconite Rule), which imposes new emissions-control requirements on taconite iron ore processing facilities; which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (PM-33)

Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the issuance of a Proclamation providing exemption for certain stationary sources from compliance with the final rule published by the Environmental Protection Agency titled ``National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units Review of the Residual Risk and Technology Review,'' 89 FR 38508 (Rule), which amended the preexisting Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule to make it more stringent; which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (PM-34)

Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the continuation of the national emergency that was originally declared in Executive Order 13882 of July 26, 2019, with respect to the situation in Mali; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-35)

Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report of the continuation of the national emergency that was originally declared in Executive Order 13581 of July 24, 2011, with respect to significant transnational criminal organizations; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-36)

Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the issuance of a Proclamation providing exemption for certain stationary sources from compliance with the final rule published by the Environmental Protection Agency titled ``National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities Residual Risk and Technology Review,'' 89 FR 24090 (EtO Rule), which imposes new emissions-control requirements on commercial sterilization facilities; which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (PM-37)

Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the issuance of a Proclamation providing exemption for certain stationary sources from compliance with the final rule published by the Environmental Protection Agency titled ``New Source Performance Standards for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and Group I & II Polymers and Resins Industry,'' 89 FR 42932 (HON Rule), which imposes new emissions-control requirements on certain chemical manufacturing facilities; which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (PM-38)

Bluestone Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of Zachary M. Bluestone, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 3944, making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026.

Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.

Szabo Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of Aaron Szabo, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the nomination of Zachary M. Bluestone, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.

Lohmeier Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of Matthew Lohmeier, of Arizona, to be Under Secretary of the Air Force.

A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the nomination of Aaron Szabo, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.

Topping Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of Richard Topping, of Ohio, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs.

A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the nomination of Matthew Lohmeier, of Arizona, to be Under Secretary of the Air Force.

Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.

Cole Nomination: Agreement

Senate resumed consideration of the nomination of Terrance Cole, of Virginia, to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement.

During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action

By 44 yeas to 43 nays (Vote No. EX. 418), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the post- cloture time with respect to the nomination be expired and Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Nominations Received

Senate received the following nominations: 1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Space Force.

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:

Record Votes

One record vote was taken today. (Total--418)

Adjournment

Senate convened at 3 p.m. and adjourned at 6:39 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S4511.)