5:09 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke about the appropriations process.

4:45 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.

4:05 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the Supreme Court vacancy.

3:31 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke on the 21st century cures act.

2:46 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke on Iran sanctions.

2:28 p.m. Senator Boxer spoke on her bill changing the electoral college.

2:15 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke on funding for the National Institutes of Health.

2:15 p.m. The Senate returns from recess.

12:51 p.m. Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.

12:38 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke on the Garland nomination, the appropriation process and challenges ahead in the 115th Congress.

12:30 p.m. Senator Thune spoke on accomplishments of the 114th Congress and looks forward to the 115th Congress.

12:20 p.m. Senator Mikulski  spoke on the appropriations process in both this Congress and the next.

12:14 p.m. Senator Blunt moves the Senate to a period of morning business, and speaks regarding international adoption.

12:13 p.m. S. 2873, the medical education “ECHO” bill was agreed to 97-0.  Senators Corker, Gardner and Sanders did not vote. 

11:30 a.m. The Senate began voting on S. 2873

11:22 a.m. Senator Daines (for Alexander) offered amendment #5110 to S. 2873. It was agreed to via previous agreement.

11:02 a.m. The Senate began consideration of the medical education bill.

10:33 a.m. Senator Cardin spoke on his measure to address the “emolument” clause of the Constitution, which concerns official conflicts of interest.

10:27 a.m. Senator Wicker spoke about S. 2873, the “ECHO” bill on medical education.

10:15 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about a constituent who struggled with U.S. Immigration policy.

10:10 a.m. Senator Reid described Democratic preferences on several of the lame duck agenda items.

10:08 a.m. Senator McConnell described the legislative agenda for the lame duck session, including the defense authorization, the water resources bill, the energy bill, the 21st Century Cures Act and the resolution to continue federal spending into next year.

10:05 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell sought consent to take up H.R. 6297, the reauthorization of the Iran sanctions bill, at a time to be determined.

Minority Leader Reid indicated that there is no Democratic objection. Senator McConnell said a Senate vote on the House-passed Iran sanctions bill may occur this week.

*****

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11:00 a.m.

At 11:00 a.m., begin consideration of S.2873, ECHO Act

There will be up to 30 minutes of debate followed by a vote on passage of the bill,  thus expect a roll call vote on passage at approximately 11:30 a.m.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.