The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on the morning of the hearing favorably reported six nominees to a range of maritime and transportation posts. The committee approved Stephen Carmel for administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration, Laura D'Avella for Federal Maritime Commissioner, Ethan Klein for an associate director post at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Trent Morse for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board, Timothy Petty for Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Michelle A. Schultz for a second term on the Surface Transportation Board.

The approvals were handled by successive motions and roll calls. The committee reported Stephen Carmel favorably by a tally of 21 ayes to 7 noes. Laura D'Avella was reported by a roll call that ended 20–8 in favor. Ethan Klein was reported by a narrow margin of 15–13. Trent Morse was reported 15–13. Timothy Petty was reported 21–7. Michelle A. Schultz was reported 18–10. After the votes the chairman closed the executive session and the committee proceeded to the scheduled nomination hearing for Admiral Kevin Lundy.

The motions were made on the record and the clerk conducted roll calls for each nomination. The transcripts record the motions as moved by individual senators (for example, Senator Roger Wicker moved the nomination of Stephen Carmel) and record seconding remarks or a simple 'Second' when spoken; specific seconding senators are not always identified on the public transcript. Each motion was announced 'agreed to' after the clerk announced the tallies. The committee did not take further debate on the motions, and no amendments to the nominations were proposed during the executive session.

What happens next: Each nomination will be transmitted for further floor consideration consistent with Senate procedures; senators were given the opportunity to submit additional questions for the record following the hearing.