House Passes Continuing Resolution; Senate Continues to Weaken filibuster
by Amy West, GovTrack.us Sept. 19, 2025
House Passes Continuing Resolution
This morning the House passed its version of a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded past September 30. The vote was mostly party line at 217-212 with two Republicans voting no and one Democrat voting yes. The bill includes the "D.C. Fix" which restores funding the House took away in the last CR. It also includes extra funding for member security in light of the shooting of Charlie Kirk.
But the Senate does not. The Senate voted on two versions of a continuing resolution, one that matched the House's and one proposed by Senate Democrats. Both failed, but the Democratic one failed by v slightly less (47-45) than the Republican one (44-48). Given that the Senate isn't usually in session on Fridays and eight Republicans were absent, it's probably best not to read too much into these differences. On the other hand, someone's going to have to be willing to give a little in order to end the increasingly likely shutdown.
Senate Continues to Weaken Filibuster
Last week we provided a pretty long description of the Senate's efforts to get rid of the filibuster, e.g. the requirement for 60 votes to end debate on a bill/nomination. Turns out, that wasn't a complete description.
Last week's vote series was just the set up. To actually vote on the 48 nominations, the Senate had to basically go through the same process this week. As Andrew Desiderio put it on X
The 1st (last week) was to lower cloture threshold from 60 to simple majority for exec resolutions; this is to lower cloture threshold for the actual bloc
The end result is that the first batch of 48 nominations were confirmed 51-47 on Thursday Sept. 18. Could these same 48 nominations have gone through without all this rigamarole in the same timeframe? Maybe. But the next batch will be 108 nominations and the increasing numbers will probably begin to make it worthwhile quickly.
Other Notable Votes This Week
Omar Censure fails in House
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC1) attempted to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN5) over what Mace claimed were offensive remarks about Charlie Kirk. The motion was tabled 214-213 with four Republicans voting to table.
House Continues to Weaken its Own Power
Once again, a resolution setting the parameters of debate on a set of unrelated bills also included a prohibition through January 31 against the House voting to limit the President's ability to issue tariffs. The rule passed 216-210. This was a slight modification from a rule earlier this week which set the prohibition though March.
House Forces Changes to D.C.
While all of these bills still have to pass the Senate and are therefore a long way from becoming law, the House voted to force a number of changes to Washington, D.C. criminal laws and judge selection.
Senate Votes Unanimously to Approve a Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance
The Senate passed a resolution to approve a Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk via unanimous consent. This can be read as "every Democrat voted for it" as in the embedded post in this Bluesky link or as "no Democrat thought a resolution without any legal force was worth fighting about" as in the post commenting on the first one. We generally assume the latter - that a successful UC vote is not so much true unanimity as it is that, for whatever reason, no Senator thinks it's worth objecting to. Outcome is the same, but the rationale might matter politically.
House Does Not Unanimously pass a Resolution on Kirk
The House voted on a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. This resolution is a bit different from the Senate's in content, but the same in legal force: none at all. All Republicans voted in favor while Democrats were split between Yes votes (95), No votes (58), Present votes (38) and Not Voting (22). In addition to the difference in content, the split among Democrats also represents different conclusions about the political utility of going along or not.
What's Next?
Since Congress is out next week, we'll get another mail bag post out to you. We definitely haven't exhausted the suggestions from earlier this summer.
Update, Friday Sept. 19th, 1:58 EDT: Since the Senate completed its votes on continuing resolutions quickly, we removed text about it as a prospective activity and expanded the opening section to include what the Senate did.
Hawaii Congressional Delegation
Sept. 9, 2025 — Bill Text
H.R. 5241: RTCP Revitalization Act
This bill’s text is now available.
Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2] is the sponsor of this bill.
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2].
Sept. 15, 2025, 5:30 p.m. — Vote
S.Res. 377: An executive resolution authorizing the en bloc consideration in Executive Session of certain nominations on the Executive Calendar.
Resolution Agreed to 51/44
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 15, 2025, 6:15 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System: Stephen Miran, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2012
Cloture Motion Agreed to 50/44
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 15, 2025, 6:56 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Table the Motion to Discharge Committee: H.J.Res. 117: Relating to a national emergency by the President on July 30, 2025.
Passed 200/198
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 15, 2025, 7:03 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 3400: TRAVEL Act of 2025
Passed 371/21
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 15, 2025, 7:19 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN464: Stephen Miran, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2012
Nomination Confirmed 48/47
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 16, 2025, 1:57 p.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 707: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4922) to limit youth offender status …
Passed 213/207
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 16, 2025, 2:32 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Proceed on S.J.Res. 60: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “Emissions Budget and Allowance Allocations for Indiana Under
Motion to Proceed Rejected 47/51
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Yea
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 16, 2025, 2:43 p.m. — Vote
H.Res. 707: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4922) to limit youth offender status in the District of Columbia to individuals 18 years of age or younger, to direct the Attorney General of the District of Columbia to establish and operate a pu
Passed 213/211
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: No
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 16, 2025, 2:49 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 2721: Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025
Passed 413/0
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 16, 2025, 5:01 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 4922: D. C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe Act of 2025
Passed 240/179
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 16, 2025, 5:14 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 5140: To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age.
Passed 225/203
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 16, 2025, 5:19 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Proceed on S.Con.Res. 22: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Motion to Proceed Rejected 36/62
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 17, 2025, 11:02 a.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Executive Calendar Nos: 89, 105, 107, 121, 122, 123, 124, 132, 133, 135, 136, 137, 139, 141, 142, 152, 153, 154, 156, 157, 161, 177, 180, 185, 251, 276, 277, 278, 279, 283, 285, 289, 290, 297, 298, 303, 305, 324, 344, 346, 352, 356, 362, 365, 149, 286, 302, 350, en bloc: Peter Lamelas, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Argentine Republic
Cloture Motion Rejected 51/48
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 17, 2025, 11:48 a.m. — Vote
On the Motion to Reconsider PN55-25 and PN55-45 and PN54-7 and PN54-6 and PN55-42 and PN345-16 and PN150-5 and PN141-18 and PN25-33 and PN22-24 and PN13-5 and PN26-22 and PN22-3 and PN25-21 and PN12-22 and PN141-28 and PN141-7 and PN141-37 and PN26-45 and PN129-8 and PN60-10 and PN60-9 and PN55-16 and PN25-2 and PN26-44 and PN60-3 and PN26-31 and PN26-19 and PN26-7 and PN25-40 and PN22-23 and PN26-1 and PN22-19 and PN22-8 and PN22-4 and PN55-41 and PN26-35 and PN26-34 and PN26-8 and PN22-21 and PN22-20 and PN22-27 and PN22-5 and PN22-2 and PN22-1 and PN12-45 and PN12-19 and PN25-28: Jessica Kramer, of Wisconsin, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Motion to Reconsider Agreed to 51/47
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 17, 2025, 12:29 p.m. — Vote
On the Decision of the Chair PN12-19 and PN25-28 and PN12-45 and PN22-1 and PN22-2 and PN22-5 and PN22-27 and PN22-20 and PN22-21 and PN26-8 and PN26-34 and PN26-35 and PN55-41 and PN22-4 and PN22-8 and PN22-19 and PN26-1 and PN22-23 and PN25-40 and PN26-7 and PN26-19 and PN26-31 and PN60-3 and PN26-44 and PN25-2 and PN55-16 and PN60-9 and PN60-10 and PN129-8 and PN26-45 and PN141-37 and PN141-7 and PN141-28 and PN12-22 and PN25-21 and PN22-3 and PN26-22 and PN13-5 and PN22-24 and PN25-33 and PN141-18 and PN150-5 and PN345-16 and PN55-42 and PN54-6 and PN54-7 and PN55-45 and PN55-25: Peter Lamelas, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Argentine Republic
Decision of Chair Not Sustained 47/52
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Yea
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 17, 2025, 1:10 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Executive Calendar Nos: 89, 105, 107, 121, 122, 123, 124, 132, 133, 135, 136, 137, 139, 141, 142, 152, 153, 154, 156, 157, 161, 177, 180, 185, 251, 276, 277, 278, 279, 283, 285, 289, 290, 297, 298, 303, 305, 324, 344, 346, 352, 356, 362, 365, 149, 286, 302, 350, en bloc, Upon Reconsideration: Peter Lamelas, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Argentine Republic
Cloture Motion Agreed to 52/47
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 17, 2025, 5:57 p.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 722: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5371) making continuing appropriations and extensions …
Passed 213/207
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 17, 2025, 6:04 p.m. — Vote
H.Res. 722: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5371) making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 719) honoring the life and legacy of Char
Passed 216/210
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: No
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 17, 2025, 6:10 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 5125: District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act of 2025
Passed 218/211
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 17, 2025, 6:16 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 5143: District of Columbia Policing Protection Act of 2025
Passed 245/182
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 17, 2025, 6:28 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Table: H.Res. 713: Censuring Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and removing her from the Committee on …
Passed 214/213
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 18, 2025 — Introduced
S. 2897: A bill to amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to provide research and extension grants to support the study of insects and pests that impact tropical plants, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI]
This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
Trackers: Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 18, 2025 — Introduced
S.Res. 405: A resolution expressing support for the recognition of September 22, 2025, to September 28, 2025, as “Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week”.
Sponsor: Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI]
This resolution was referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI] is a member of the committee.
Trackers: Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 18, 2025 — Introduced
S.Res. 406: A resolution designating September 30, 2025, as “Impact Aid Recognition Day” to recognize and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Impact Aid program.
Sponsor: Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI]
This resolution was referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI] is a member of the committee.
Trackers: Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 18, 2025, 4:23 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN55-25 and PN55-45 and PN54-7 and PN54-6 and PN55-42 and PN345-16 and PN150-5 and PN141-18 and PN25-33 and PN22-24 and PN13-5 and PN26-22 and PN22-3 and PN25-21 and PN12-22 and PN141-28 and PN141-7 and PN141-37 and PN26-45 and PN129-8 and PN60-10 and PN60-9 and PN55-16 and PN25-2 and PN26-44 and PN60-3 and PN26-31 and PN26-19 and PN26-7 and PN25-40 and PN22-23 and PN26-1 and PN22-19 and PN22-8 and PN22-4 and PN55-41 and PN26-35 and PN26-34 and PN26-8 and PN22-21 and PN22-20 and PN22-27 and PN22-5 and PN22-2 and PN22-1 and PN12-45 and PN12-19 and PN25-28: Jessica Kramer, of Wisconsin, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Nomination Confirmed 51/47
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 18, 2025, 4:34 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 3062: Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act
Passed 224/203
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 18, 2025, 4:43 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 3015: National Coal Council Reestablishment Act
Passed 217/209
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 18, 2025, 5:01 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 1047: GRID Power Act
Passed 216/206
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 19, 2025 — Introduced
S. 2923: A bill to provide for the automatic acquisition of United States citizenship for certain internationally adopted individuals, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI]
This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI] is a member of the committee.
Trackers: Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 19, 2025 — Introduced
S.Res. 417: A resolution supporting the designation of the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as “Telehealth Awareness Week”.
Sponsor: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI]
This resolution is in the first stage of the legislative process. It will typically be considered by committee next.
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI].
Sept. 19, 2025, 10:36 a.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit: H.R. 5371: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026
Failed 210/218
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 19, 2025, 10:44 a.m. — Vote
H.R. 5371: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026
Passed 217/212
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 19, 2025, 10:53 a.m. — Vote
H.Res. 719: Honoring the life and legacy of Charles “Charlie” James Kirk.
Passed 310/58
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Present
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Rep. Ed Case [D-HI1].
Sept. 19, 2025, 12:20 p.m. — Vote
S. 2882: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
Bill Defeated 47/45
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Yea
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 19, 2025, 1:01 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 5371: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026
Bill Defeated 44/48
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 19, 2025, 1:23 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Michael G. Waltz to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations: Michael G. Waltz, of Florida, to be the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the Rank of Ambassador, and the Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations
Cloture Motion Agreed to 47/45
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].
Sept. 19, 2025, 1:46 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN343: Michael G. Waltz, of Florida, to be the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the Rank of Ambassador, and the Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations
Nomination Confirmed 47/43
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI], Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI].