Senate Floor Activity - Friday, August 1, 2025

The President pro tempore called the Senate to order at 10 a.m., the Chaplain offered a prayer, and the President pro tempore led the Senate in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

The Journal

Pursuant to the order of yesterday, the Journal of the proceedings of the Senate was deemed approved to date.

Certain Procedures Dispensed With

Pursuant to the order of yesterday, the morning hour being deemed expired, and the times for the recognition of the two leaders being reserved.

Transaction of Morning Business

The following transactions of morning business occurred on today.

Legislative Business (Friday, August 1)

H.R. 3944 (Rep. Carter): A bill making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.

-- Passed Senate under the order of 8/1/2025, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 87 - 9. Record Vote Number: 480

S.Amdt. 3025 (Sen. Smith): To require a report on veterans participating in the housing choice voucher program.

-- Amendment SA 3025 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Smith to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3025 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3070 (Sen. Paul): To strike a provision relating to hemp.

-- Amendment SA 3070 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Paul to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3070 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3073 (Sen. Cornyn): To require a report on New World screwworm readiness and response.

-- Amendment SA 3073 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Cornyn to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3073 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3080 (Sen. Hawley): To require reports on facilities at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

-- Amendment SA 3080 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Hawley to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3080 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3081 (Sen. Rounds): To provide for the continuation of National Cemetery Administration surveys.

-- Amendment SA 3081 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Rounds to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3081 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3082 (Sen. Rounds): To address interment schedule availability at cemetaries under the control of the National Cemetary Administration.

-- Amendment SA 3082 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Rounds to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3082 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3110 (Sen. Hirono): To require an assessment of the feasibility of expanding the agricultural quarantine and inspection program to products entering Hawaii.

-- Amendment SA 3110 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Hirono to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3110 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3113 (Sen. Scott, of FL): To reduce funding for certain programs under the division making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.

-- Amendment SA 3113 proposed by Senator Scott FL to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3113, as modified, not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 15 - 81. Record Vote Number:

S.Amdt. 3114 (Sen. Merkley): To limit recissions of funding.

-- Amendment SA 3114 proposed by Senator Merkley to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Point of order that the amendment violates section 306 of the Congressional Budget Act raised in Senate with respect to amendment SA 3114.

-- Motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to amendment SA 3114 rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 44 - 51. Record Vote Number:

-- Ruled out of order by the chair.

S.Amdt. 3115 (Sen. Van Hollen): To prohibit funds from being used for reorganization of the Department of Agriculture and to require a benefit-cost analysis on that reorganization, a public comment period, and a report.

-- Amendment SA 3115 proposed by Senator Van Hollen to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3115 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 42 - 53. Record Vote Number:

S.Amdt. 3163 (Sen. Crapo): To fund activities relating to the suppression and control of Mormon crickets and grasshoppers.

-- Amendment SA 3163 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Crapo to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3163 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3190 (Sen. Moran): To increase funding for the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives Program, with an offset.

-- Amendment SA 3190 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Moran to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3190 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3200 (Sen. Booker): To increase funding for rural decentralized water systems.

-- Amendment SA 3200 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Booker to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3200 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3208 (Sen. Rosen): To require a briefing on the current status, path forward, and timeline to construct a new medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Reno, Nevada.

-- Amendment SA 3208 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Rosen to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3208 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3220 (Sen. Crapo): To require a report on funding for State homes for veterans.

-- Amendment SA 3220 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Crapo to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3220 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3409 (Sen. Hirono): To allocate amounts for telehealth for veterans.

-- Amendment SA 3409 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Hirono to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3409 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3411 (Sen. Collins): In the nature of a substitute.

-- Amendment SA 3411 proposed by Senator Collins.

-- Under the order of 8/1/2025, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, amendment SA 3411, as amended, agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 87 - 9. Record Vote Number:

S.Amdt. 3412 (Sen. Mullin): To improve the bill.

-- Amendment SA 3412 proposed by Senator Mullin to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Notwithstanding the passage of H.R. 3944, as amended, amendment SA 3412 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 81 - 15. Record Vote Number:

S.Amdt. 3413 (Sen. Tuberville): To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report on the efforts of the Secretary to review and implement staffing models at the Department of Veterans Affairs that will ensure timely, high quality delivery of health care, benefits, and other services furnished by the Department.

-- Amendment SA 3413 proposed by Senator Tuberville to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3413 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 3414 (Sen. Kennedy): To reduce the Agriculture discretionary appropriations by 2 percent across the board.

-- Amendment SA 3414 proposed by Senator Kennedy to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3414 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 14 - 81. Record Vote Number:

S.Amdt. 3416 (Sen. Budd): To allocate amounts for opioid prevention and treatment programs.

-- Amendment SA 3416 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Budd to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3416 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3418 (Sen. Klobuchar): To provide appropriations to expedite fiber research on industrial hemp and expand cereal research into mycotoxin risk mitigation.

-- Amendment SA 3418 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Klobuchar to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3418 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3428 (Sen. Johnson): To limit disclosures regarding earmarks.

-- Amendment SA 3428 proposed by Senator Johnson to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3428 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 21 - 75. Record Vote Number:

S.Amdt. 3430 (Sen. Shaheen): To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the use of third-party contractors to conduct medical disability examinations of veterans for purposes of obtaining disability compensation.

-- Amendment SA 3430 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Shaheen to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3430 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3431 (Sen. Shaheen): To allocate amounts for the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program.

-- Amendment SA 3431 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Shaheen to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3431 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3432 (Sen. Blumenthal): To prohibit the use of funds to reduce services under the Veterans Crisis Line.

-- Amendment SA 3432 proposed by Senator Blumenthal to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3432 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 3433 (Sen. Blumenthal): To limit the availability of funds for canceling large contracts without prior notice and explanation to Congress.

-- Amendment SA 3433 proposed by Senator Collins for Senator Blumenthal to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3433 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3447 (Sen. Murphy): To require a report on veterans who would have been reported to the national instant criminal background check system and who die by suicide with a firearm.

-- Amendment SA 3447 proposed by Senator Murphy to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3447 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 44 - 51. Record Vote Number:

S.Amdt. 3466 (Sen. Duckworth): To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the plan of the Secretary for Department of Veterans Affairs workforce reduction in fiscal year 2026.

-- Amendment SA 3466 proposed by Senator Ossoff for Senator Duckworth to Amendment SA 3411.

-- Amendment SA 3466 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 45 - 50. Record Vote Number:

S. 1071 (Sen. Cornyn): A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, and for other purposes.

-- Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S. 1659 (Sen. Coons): A bill to amend titles 11 and 28, United States Code, to modify the compensation payable to trustees serving in cases under chapter 7 of title 11, United States Code, to extend the term of certain temporary offices of bankruptcy judges, and for other purposes.

-- Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3680 (Sen. Coons): To make a technical correction.

-- Amendment SA 3680 proposed by Senator Thune for Senator Coons.

-- Amendment SA 3680 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 340 (Sen. Grassley): A resolution designating July 30, 2025, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day".

-- Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 363 (Sen. Schmitt): A resolution solemnly marking the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump, condemning the multiple attempts against the President's life, condemning those who incite violence against political officials, and honoring the victims of the shooting.

-- Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 367 (Sen. Padilla): A resolution designating July 2025 as "American Grown Flower and Foliage Month".

-- Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

Executive Business (Friday, August 1)

PN13-11: Casey Mulligan, of Illinois, to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 44. Record Vote Number: 469

PN25-26: Nicholas Kent, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Education

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 45. Record Vote Number: 484

PN25-35: Brian Nesvik, of Wyoming, to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service

-- Considered by Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum required under Rule XXII waived.

-- Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 55 - 41. Record Vote Number: 468

-- By unanimous consent agreement, vote 8/1/2025.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54 - 43. Record Vote Number: 470

PN26-49: David Woll, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 43. Record Vote Number: 483

PN55-36: Luigi Rinaldi, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay

-- By unanimous consent agreement, vote 8/1/2025.

-- Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 45. Record Vote Number: 471

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 44. Record Vote Number: 482

Adjournment

By unanimous consent, on the request of Mr. Thune, at 9:54 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.