December 15, 2025

Routine Proceedings, pages S8699-S8748 Measures Introduced

Sixteen bills were introduced, as follows: S. 3470-3485

Measures Passed

Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 1510, to amend the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 to strengthen the powers of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board, and the bill was then passed.

Indian Land Disputes Settlements

Senate passed S. 550, to provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois.

Indian Reorganization Act

Senate passed S. 748, to reaffirm the applicability of the Indian Reorganization Act to the Lytton Rancheria of California.

Measures Considered

National Defense Authorization Act--Agreement: Senate began consideration of the House message to accompany S. 1071, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, after taking action on the following motions and amendments proposed thereto:

Pending

Thune motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the bill.

Thune motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the bill, with Thune Amendment No. 3961 (to the House amendment to the bill), to change the enactment date.

Thune Amendment No. 3962 (to Amendment No. 3961), to change the enactment date.

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

By 76 yeas to 20 nays (Vote No. 647), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on Thune motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the bill.

Thune motion to refer the message of the House on the bill to the Committee on Armed Services, with instructions, Thune Amendment No. 3963, to change the enactment date, fell when cloture was invoked on Thune motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the bill.

Thune Amendment No. 3964 (the instructions (Amendment No. 3963) of the motion to refer), to change the enactment date, fell when Thune motion to refer the message of the House on the bill to the Committee on Armed Services, with instructions, Thune Amendment No. 3963 (listed above), fell.

Thune Amendment No. 3965 (to Amendment No. 3964), to change the enactment date, fell when Thune Amendment No. 3964 (the instructions (Amendment No. 3963) of the motion to refer) (listed above), fell.

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at approximately 11 a.m., on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Senate continue consideration of Thune motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the bill, post-cloture, and that all time during recess, adjournment, morning business and Leader remarks count post-cloture on the motion to concur.

CRAs Status Quo: Agreement

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding the provisions of the Congressional Review Act, S.J. Res. 86, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ``Air Plan Approval; South Dakota; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period'', and S.J. Res. 84, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to ``Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Market Integrity and Affordability'', remain in status quo through January 16, 2026.

Simmons Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of Joshua Simmons, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence 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 en bloc nominations pursuant to S. Res. 532 (119th Congress).

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.

Bass Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of Keith Bass, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

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 Joshua Simmons, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence 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.

Van Hook Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of Alexander C. Van Hook, of Louisiana, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana.

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 Keith Bass, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

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.

Bailey Nomination: Cloture

Senate began consideration of the nomination of Sara Bailey, of Texas, to be Director of National Drug Control Policy.

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 Alexander C. Van Hook, of Louisiana, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana.

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.

Nominations Received

Senate received the following nominations: 11 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 27 Army nominations in the rank of general. 1 Coast Guard nomination in the rank of admiral. 4 Marine Corps nominations in the rank of general. 5 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Air Force, and Army.

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:

Record Votes

One record vote was taken today. (Total--647)

Adjournment

Senate convened at 3 p.m. and adjourned at 6:43 p.m., until 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S8748.)