5:46 p.m. Senator Schatz spoke about health care.

5:26 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about health care.

5:10 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about health care.

4:17 p.m. Senator Nelson spoke about Senator McCain and on health care.

3:24 p.m. The clerk read the McConnell substitute amendment #267 with two hours of debate equally divided.

3:09 p.m. Senator McCain spoke about the state of the Senate and his plans to remain in the Senate.

3:08 p.m. The Senate agreed 50-50 and the Vice President voted yes to break the tie on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1628, to provide for reconciliation Pursuant to Title II of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2017.

• Senators Collins, Murkowski, and all Democrats voted no. Vice President Pence voted yes.

2:30 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1628, to provide for reconciliation Pursuant to Title II of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2017.

2:23 p.m. ML McConnell spoke supporting the motion to proceed.

2:17 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke against the pending health care legislation.

12:32 p.m. Senator Fischer asked that the Senate stand in recess until 2:15 p.m. to accommodate the weekly Caucus lunches.

12:23 p.m. Senator Fischer noted the absence of a quorum.

12:13 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the Republican health care plan and the related procedural vote. He spoke about President Trump’s criticism of Attorney General Sessions. He spoke about the House bill to sanction Iran, Syria and Russia.

12:09 p.m. Senator McConnell secured consent for Minority Leader Schumer to be recognized for up to 20 minutes, whereupon Senator Fischer will be recognized to note the absence of a quorum.

12:03 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell moved to proceed to H.R. 2810, the 2018 Defense Authorization. He paid tribute to Senator McCain. He spoke about today’s procedural vote on health care.

*****

The Senate will convene at 12:00 noon.  Following any leader remarks, it is anticipated ML McConnell will move to proceed to HR 2810, the Defense Authorization, until moving to proceed to the reconcilation vehicle following the usual Tuesday caucuses.