Cortez Masto and Klobuchar noted that the bills passed the Judiciary Committee unanimously. Booker is a member of the panel, but he said he missed the votes—and the chance to object earlier—because of hasty scheduling by the committee.

In a rare public outburst on the Senate floor Tuesday, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker took his Democratic colleagues to task, declaring his party ''needs a wake-up call!''

N.J., blasted is own party Tuesday over their refusal to adopt amendments the senator argued will ensure Trump cannot pick winners and losers when it pertains to federal funding.