July 29, 2025

Routine Proceedings, pages S4785-S4856 Measures Introduced

Thirty-nine bills and six resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2490-2528, and S. Res. 340-345.

Measures Reported

S. 289, to ban the sale of products with a high concentration of sodium nitrate to individuals. (S. Rept. No. 119-49) S. 389, to establish consumer standards for lithium-ion batteries, with an amendment. (S. Rept. No. 119-50) Report to accompany S. 2342, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. (S. Rept. No. 119-51) S. 1555, to increase loan limits for loans made to small manufacturers, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. S. 1703, to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to improve access to disaster assistance for individuals located in rural areas.

Measures Passed

Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act: Senate passed S. 911, to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include certain retired law enforcement officers in the public safety officers' death benefits program.

Improving Police CARE Act

Senate passed S. 1595, to establish standards for trauma kits purchased using funds provided under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.

FERC Hydropower License

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of S. 1020, to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects, and the bill was then passed.

Marshall Space Flight Center 65th Anniversary

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 309, commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Marshall Space Flight Center and recognizing its continued leadership in the development of the Space Launch System and human space exploration, and the resolution was then agreed to.

Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary

Senate agreed to S. Res. 344, observing the 20th anniversary of the date on which Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast and recognizing the progress of efforts to rebuild the affected Gulf Coast region.

Congratulating Oklahoma City Thunder

Senate agreed to S. Res. 345, congratulating the Oklahoma City Thunder on winning the 2025 National Basketball Association Finals.

Mason Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of Cheryl Mason, of North Carolina, to be Inspector General, 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 Thursday, July 31, 2025.

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.

Lucas Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of Andrea Lucas, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2030.

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 Cheryl Mason, of North Carolina, to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs.

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.

Mulligan Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of Casey Mulligan, of Illinois, to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration.

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 Andrea Lucas, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2030.

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.

Woll Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of David Woll, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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 Casey Mulligan, of Illinois, to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration.

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.

Kent Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of Nicholas Kent, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Education.

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 David Woll, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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.

Gaiser Nomination: Agreement

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at approximately 10 a.m., on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Senate resume consideration of the nomination of Thomas Gaiser, of Ohio, to be an Assistant Attorney General; and that notwithstanding Rule XXII, at 11:30 a.m., on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the motions to invoke cloture filed on Monday, July 28, 2025, ripen, and Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination.

Nominations Confirmed

Senate confirmed the following nominations: By 50 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. EX. 441), Earl Matthews, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense.

By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. EX. 443), William Kimmitt, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade.

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

By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. EX. 442), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.

By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. EX. 445), Susan Monarez, of Wisconsin, to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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

By 52 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. EX. 444), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.

By 54 yeas to 44 nays (Vote No. EX. 447), Samuel Brown, of Nevada, to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs.

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

By 53 yeas to 45 nays (Vote No. EX. 446), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.

By 50 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. EX. 448), Emil J. Bove III, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit.

Nominations Received

Senate received the following nominations: 21 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 1 Army nomination in the rank of general.

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:

Record Votes

Eight record votes were taken today. (Total--448)

Adjournment

Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 9:21 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S4856.)