5:05 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 4th. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business.

5:03 p.m. ML McConnell began the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business:

• S.1 – to make improvements to certain defense and security assistance provisions and to authorize the appropriation of funds to Israel, to reauthorize the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015, and to halt the wholesale slaughter of the Syrian people, and for other purposes
• S.21 – making continuing appropriations for Coast Guard pay in the event an appropriations act expires prior to the enactment of a new appropriations act
• S.24 – to provide for the compensation of Federal and other government employees affected by lapses in appropriations (Cardin).

3:23 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about the new congress, immigration, opioid addiction.

2:27 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about government funding.

2:11 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke on the government shutdown.

1:13 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on federal spending.

12:46 p.m. Senate Majority Leader McConnell began his speech of welcome to the 116th Congress. Topics included the work of the 115th Congress, the need for bipartisan compromise in the new Congress, and the need for a measure to continue federal spending and reopen a number of government agencies.

12:42 p.m. The Senate consented to several more procedural resolutions and, en bloc, to a series of unanimous consent requests.

12:41 p.m. Senator Grassley took the gavel. The Senate consented to S. Res. 4, informing the President of the election of a President Pro Tempore.

12:40 p.m. The Senate consented to S.Res. 3, to elect Senator Grassley  President Pro Tempore of the Senate, whereupon Vice President Pence administered the oath of office to Senator Grassley.

12:39 p.m. The Senate consented to S.Res. 2.

12:38 p.m. The Senate consented to S.Res. 1, informing the President that a quorum of both houses of Congress is present.

12:30 p.m. The Senate began a live quorum call.

12:07 p.m. The clerk presented certificates of election to the Senate. Vice President Pence began swearing in new senators and newly reelected senators.

12:04 p.m. The Senate convened for the 116th Congress, Vice President Pence presiding.

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11:52 a.m. The Senate adjourned for the 115th Congress.

11:51 a.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of William C. McIntosh to be an assistant administrator of the Environmental Protection Administration.

11:50 a.m. The Senate convened for a pro forma session, Senator Fischer presiding.

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The Senate will convene for a pro forma session at 11:50 a.m., and then the 115th Congress will adjourn.

The 116th Congress will convene at 12:00 noon.

Following the prayer and pledge, the certificates of election will be presented. Senators will then be sworn-in in groups of four. After the swearing-in, there will be a live quorum. After a quorum is established, the Senate will adopt a number of  housekeeping resolutions. Upon completion of the opening day business, we expect Leaders McConnell and Schumer to deliver leader remarks.

 

Following leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business.