Senate Agrees to Cloture on Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd Nomination 68-28; Debates DHS Shutdown, Iran War, and Housing Affordability
The Senate convened and proceeded to executive session to consider the nomination of Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd to be General, Director of the National Security Agency, and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command. A cloture motion on the nomination was agreed to by a vote of 68-28, setting up a confirmation vote for the following day. Senators also engaged in extensive floor debate regarding the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, President Trump's military operations in Iran, and the housing affordability crisis, with a focus on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
The agreement to invoke cloture on the Rudd nomination advances a critical national security appointment amidst ongoing military operations and cyber threats. The debates on the DHS shutdown and the war in Iran highlight significant unresolved policy and constitutional questions, while discussions on housing affordability underscore a major domestic economic challenge. The day's proceedings set the stage for key votes and continued legislative battles.
Nomination of Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd to be General, Director of the National Security Agency, and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command
Calendar No. 655Question before the chamber
Whether to invoke cloture on the nomination of Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd for appointment to the grade of General and to lead the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command.
The case for
Senator Wicker emphasized the critical need for a commander of U.S. Cyber Command and Director of the National Security Agency, especially given the complexity and demands of 'Operation Epic Fury' and the importance of cyber capabilities in dismantling the terrorist regime in Iran. He noted that General Rudd was reported out of the Armed Services Committee by a voice vote, indicating strong bipartisan support.
The case against
Senator Wyden opposed the nomination, citing General Rudd's demonstrated lack of familiarity with basic constitutional rights during his confirmation hearing, including his refusal to pledge against secretly violating NSA surveillance guardrails or to insist on judicial warrants for domestic surveillance. Wyden also highlighted Rudd's refusal to endorse the NSA's previous commitment not to buy Americans' location data and his lack of experience in U.S. signals activities and cyber security, which are crucial for the role amidst urgent cyber threats from China and Russia.
Disposition
Cloture motion agreed to · recorded vote
Debate on the nomination was brought to a close, setting up a final confirmation vote for the next day.
Yeas 68, Nays 28
Who is affected
- American citizens: Potential impact on privacy and civil liberties through surveillance practices, and national security through cybersecurity leadership.
- Military personnel: Leadership of key intelligence and cyber commands during ongoing military operations.
- Intelligence community: Direction and operational policies of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command.
Department of Homeland Security Funding and Immigration Enforcement
H.R. 7744Question before the chamber
The ongoing DHS shutdown and the need for a funding agreement, particularly concerning the operations and procedures of ICE and CBP.
The case for
Senator Thune argued that Democrats are not serious about funding DHS, evidenced by their two largely identical offers and a new proposal to selectively fund certain agencies while keeping others shut down. He stressed that all parts of DHS are essential, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which are critical for national security and border control. He stated that the Trump administration has made substantial offers for reform and that Democrats are protecting the status quo for political gain.
The case against
Senator Durbin criticized the former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for mismanagement, alleged lies under oath, and the use of 'Operation Midway Blitz' which led to the detention of American citizens and violent encounters, including shootings. He argued for changing ICE and CBP procedures to align with professional policing standards, such as wearing body cameras, avoiding masks, and requiring judicial warrants for home entries, emphasizing that the current practices are unacceptable and have resulted in innocent casualties.
Disposition
No direct legislative disposition on the DHS funding impasse in the Senate today · other
The debate highlighted the continued stalemate over DHS funding, with the House having passed H.R. 7744, which was received by the Senate.
Who is affected
- DHS employees: Tens of thousands are going without pay due to the shutdown, impacting their financial stability.
- American citizens and residents: Impacted by immigration enforcement practices, border security, and the potential for civil liberties violations during operations.
- Local communities: Affected by the presence and methods of federal immigration enforcement agents and the flow of contraband.
President Trump's Military Operations in Iran
EC-2923Question before the chamber
The rationale, strategy, and consequences of President Trump's declared 'major combat operations' in Iran.
The case for
Senator Wicker stated that the President is going to dismantle the terrorist regime in Iran. Senator Grassley mentioned attending a dignified transfer for fallen heroes, implicitly acknowledging the military's role.
The case against
Senator Durbin criticized President Trump for breaking his 'no new wars' campaign promise, launching operations without consulting Congress or allies, and the administration's shifting justifications for the war (stopping nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, regime change, preemption of Israeli attack). He drew parallels to the Iraq war, warning of high costs and lack of clear objectives. Senator Schumer echoed these concerns, highlighting rising gas prices, American casualties (seven servicemembers killed), and the risk of mission creep, including potential 'boots on the ground' and civilian casualties, citing a deadly airstrike on a girls' elementary school.
Disposition
No legislative disposition · other
The Senate received a War Powers Resolution report from the President regarding military action in Ecuador, but no direct legislative action was taken on the Iran conflict itself.
Who is affected
- American servicemembers: Deployment to a conflict zone, risk of casualties, and engagement in combat operations.
- American citizens: Economic impact through rising gas prices, potential for retaliatory attacks, and concerns over the rationale and duration of the war.
- Iranian civilians: Risk of casualties and displacement due to military operations, including airstrikes.
- Global energy markets: Significant volatility and price increases for oil and gas due to regional instability.
Housing Affordability and the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
H.R. 6644Question before the chamber
Addressing the housing affordability crisis in the United States, specifically through the provisions of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which aims to limit institutional investors in the single-family housing market.
The case for
Senator Moreno argued that the American dream of homeownership is increasingly out of reach for working families due to skyrocketing home prices and the rise of the single-family build-to-rent industry, where massive Wall Street firms and institutional investors convert homes into permanent rentals. He supported President Trump's Executive Order to restrict federal support for large investors buying single-family homes and advocated for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (S. 4308, an amendment to H.R. 6644) to codify and strengthen these protections, increase paths to ownership, and ensure more new homes are built for sale.
The case against
Senator Moreno mentioned that critics of the bill make contradictory claims: some argue institutional investors don't buy enough homes to matter, while others claim they are crucial to the housing market and the bill would dry up supply. No direct opposition was aired by another Senator in the provided Record text.
Disposition
Consideration of H.R. 6644 resumed; cloture motion filed on substitute amendment No. 4308 to ripen tomorrow. · other
The Senate continued its consideration of the bill, with a procedural step taken to advance a key amendment for a future vote.
Amendments
- Amendment to withdraw a final determination on energy efficiency standards for HUD- and USDA-financed housing, and to revert to previous standards. (Mr. Barrasso) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to change the definition of 'covered multifamily dwellings' in the Fair Housing Act from '4' to '20'. (Mr. Tuberville) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to strike title IX (Findings and Sense of Congress Regarding Property Rights). (Mr. Paul) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to strike title IX and insert new findings and sense of Congress regarding property rights, rejecting attempts to prohibit property owners from selling homes to investors. (Mr. Paul) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to require certain public housing agencies to absorb port-in vouchers and limit billing initial public housing agencies beyond 12 months. (Ms. Ernst (for herself and Mr. Grassley)) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to establish a database of landlord violators of housing quality standards. (Mr. Hawley) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to establish the 'Housing Tariff Exclusion Act' to exclude certain articles used in home construction from duties. (Mr. Coons (for himself and Ms. Rosen)) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment titled 'End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2026' to clarify staffing needs for VA case managers, amend the HUD-VASH program, and require a GAO report on homeless veterans. (Mr. Padilla) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to exclude HUD-VASH vouchers from the project-based assistance cap. (Mr. Padilla) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to require a GAO study on streamlining income calculations and certifications across Federal housing assistance programs. (Mr. Padilla) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to require a study on increasing the resiliency of manufactured homes in areas at high-risk of natural hazards and weather extremes. (Mr. Padilla (for himself and Mr. Cassidy)) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to exclude certain HUD-VASH vouchers from the project-based assistance cap, specifically for units constructed on Department property (Title 31, U.S.C.). (Mr. Padilla) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to establish a grant program to coordinate health care and homelessness services. (Mr. Padilla) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to streamline Federal affordable housing development programs. (Mr. Padilla) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to amend the Federal Credit Union Act regarding agent membership. (Mr. Padilla (for himself and Mr. Cramer)) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment titled 'Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2026' to establish requirements for prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans. (Mr. Marshall (for himself and Mr. Warner)) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment titled 'Obstruction of Immigration Laws by Official Interference' to criminalize officials who prohibit or restrict compliance with DHS requests for notice of criminal alien releases. (Mr. Graham) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to transfer unobligated ICE appropriations to housing programs (Housing Trust Fund, Capital Magnet Fund, HOME Investment Partnerships program). (Mr. Reed) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to add a rule of construction to section 16A of the Federal Reserve Act, clarifying that nothing grants authority to issue a central bank digital currency. (Mr. Hagerty) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to strike 'construction, foreclosures, or bulk purchases' and insert 'foreclosures, or bulk purchases, but shall not include the construction of new single-family homes' in section 901(a)(5) of the amendment. (Mr. Tillis) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment titled 'Keeping Deposits Local' to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act regarding reciprocal deposits and require an FDIC study. (Mr. Rounds (for himself and Mr. Warner)) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment titled 'Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act' to require annual testimony from the Treasury Secretary on the CDFI Fund, improve the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program, and establish a Native CDFI Relending Program. (Mr. Daines (for himself, Mr. Warner, Mr. Crapo, and Ms. Smith)) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to add a section on 'Freedom to Build' designation for localities, with set-asides and preferences for such communities in grant programs. (Mr. Hagerty) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to restrict the use of assisted housing and eligibility of certain noncitizens for housing programs. (Mr. Hagerty) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to make sanctuary jurisdictions ineligible for Community Development Block Grants. (Mr. Hagerty) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to add a section on 'Freedom to Build' designation for localities, with set-asides and preferences for such communities in grant programs. (Mr. Hagerty) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to make sanctuary jurisdictions ineligible for federal funding under section 210(b) of the amendment. (Mr. Scott of Florida) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to exclude certain HUD-VASH vouchers from the project-based assistance cap, specifically for units constructed on Department property (Title 38, U.S.C.). (Mr. Padilla) — Ordered to lie on the table
Who is affected
- First-time home buyers and working families: Aimed at increasing access to affordable homeownership by limiting institutional investor competition.
- Institutional investors and Wall Street firms: Targeted by provisions seeking to restrict their acquisition of single-family homes for rental portfolios.
- Renters: Impacted by the availability and cost of rental housing, which the bill aims to address by shifting focus to for-sale housing.
- Local communities: Affected by housing supply dynamics and the balance between owner-occupied and rental properties.
Cloture Invoked on NSA/Cyber Command Director Nomination
highThe Senate agreed to a cloture motion on the nomination of Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd for appointment to the grade of General and to lead the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command. This procedural vote, with 68 yeas and 28 nays, advances the nomination for a final confirmation vote scheduled for the next day. Opposition was voiced regarding the nominee's perceived lack of experience and understanding of constitutional rights related to surveillance.
Continued Impasse on DHS Funding Amidst Shutdown
highSenators from both parties debated the ongoing DHS shutdown. Republicans criticized Democrats for an 'unserious' approach to negotiations and selective funding proposals, while Democrats condemned the administration's immigration enforcement tactics and the former Secretary's conduct, linking it to the need for reforms in ICE and CBP procedures.
Concerns Raised Over President Trump's War in Iran
highDemocratic leaders expressed strong concerns about President Trump's initiation of 'major combat operations' in Iran without congressional consultation, citing a lack of clear strategy, rising gas prices, and American casualties. They called for public hearings with Cabinet Secretaries to explain the rationale and goals of the conflict.
Housing Affordability Crisis and Legislative Proposals Debated
mediumSenator Moreno highlighted the housing affordability crisis, attributing it to institutional investors buying single-family homes, and advocated for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) to curb this trend. A cloture motion was filed on a substitute amendment to this bill, indicating it will be a focus of future legislative action.