5:50 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 12.

5:44 p.m. Sen. Alexander and Sen Cochran spoke on Energy and Water appropriations, saying all that remains is a vote on final passage.

5:43 p.m. ML McConnell set up a confirmation vote for Paul Xinis of Maryland, to be US District Judge for the District of Maryland.

5:43 p.m. The Fischer amendment is not agreed to 52-47 (60 vote threshold).

Senators voting in favor: 49 Republicans, 3 Democrats (Bennet, Donnelly and Klobuchar).

Senators voting against: 41 Democrats, 5 Republicans (Alexander, Cochran, Collins, Kirk and Murkowski), 1 Independent: King.

Senators not voting: Sanders.

5:01 p.m. Roll call vote began on the Fischer amendment #3888.

5:00 p.m. The Cardin amendment is not agreed to 39-60. (60 vote threshold.)

Senators voting in favor: 39 Democrats.

Senators voting against: 54 Republicans, 5 Democrats (Feinstein, Heitkamp, Manchin, McCaskill, Tester). 1 Independent (King).

Senators not voting: Sanders.

4:30 p.m. Roll call vote began on the Cardin amendment #3871.

4:26 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the decision to tie student loan interest rates to treasury rates.

4:23 p.m. Senator Burr spoke about lower interest rates for student loans.

4:18 p.m. Senator Toomey urged confirmations.

4:16 p.m. ML McConnell talked about confirmation and the number of nominees confirmed during President Obama’s presidency relative to the same point in the presidency of President George W. Bush.

4:05 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke on vacancies on the Federal bench in Pennsylvania.  He offered a UC to consider two Pennsylvania judges and Sen. Whitehouse objected.

3:39 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke on the zika virus.

3:33 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke on the water approps bill.

3:16 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke on the education bill passed to fix No Child Left Behind.

3:02 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke on the water approps bill.

2:42 p.m. Senator King spoke about student loans.

2:29 p.m. Senator Coats spoke about the economy.

2:13 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the economy.

2:02 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about the economy.

1:40 p.m. Senator Boxer spoke about the Supreme Court Vacancy.

1:30 p.m. Senator Murray spoke about the Supreme Court vacancy and  Garland.

12:53 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the Zika virus.

12:51 p.m. Sen Alexander acheives UC to call up Cardin amdt #3871, Fischer amdt #3888 and Flake amdt #3876.  At 4:30 vote on Cardin and Fischer amendments, each with a 60 vote threshold.

12:50 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the substitute amendment by a vote of  97-2.  Senators Heller and Lee voted no. Senator Sanders did not vote.

12:07 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the substitute amendment to the energy and water Approps bill.

12:06 p.m. Senator Alexander withdrew the Cotton amenment.

11:50 a.m. Senator Cardin spoke about the Zika virus.

11:07 a.m. Senator Alexander spoke on the bill, should be able to finish the today or tomorrow, still a few amendments out there, there will be a cloture vote at noon on the substitute.

11:05 a.m. Cloture was not invoked on the Cotton amendment  by a vote of 57-42.

Senators in favor: 52 Republicans, 5 Democrats. (Blumenthal, Donnelly, Heitkamp, Manchin and Menendez).

Senators against: 39 Democrats, 2 Republicans, (Alexander and Paul) and 1 Independent (King).

Senators not voting: Sanders

10:34 a.m. The cloture vote began for the Cotton amendment.

10:32 a.m. Senator Feinstein spoke on the bill.

10:28 a.m. Senator Alexander expressed hope that the energy-water bill will pass today.

9:41 a.m. Senator Reid spoke about the President’s handling of the economy and about the Supreme Court vacancy.

9:33 a.m. Senator McConnell spoke about tornadoes in Kentucky, the pending business and manufacturing legislation. He also spoke of  the President’s assertions about the economy.

***

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m., when it will resume consideration of the Energy and Water appropriation.

At 10:30 a.m., a cloture vote is expected on the Cotton amendment, #3878. If cloture is not invoked , there will be an hour of debate before Senator Cotton is recognized to withdraw his amendment.