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Schedule of Washington tributes to Bob Dole

Capitol remains closed to the public due to COVID-19

Electronic signs in the Capitol Visitor Center on Wednesday display a photo of former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole with a QR code for signing a digital condolence book.
Electronic signs in the Capitol Visitor Center on Wednesday display a photo of former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole with a QR code for signing a digital condolence book. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Official Washington will pause Thursday and Friday for a series of services and tributes to honor the late Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, beginning with an arrival ceremony at the Capitol on Thursday morning.

Services will take place in Kansas on Saturday, both in his hometown of Russell and at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, with Dole’s casket then making a final return to the nation’s capital.

Here is a schedule of the Washington events in the coming days:

Thursday, Dec. 9

9:45 a.m.: A joint service casket team will bring Dole’s casket to the Capitol Rotunda foyer.

10 a.m.: A congressional tribute will be held in the Rotunda. President Joe Biden, members of congressional leadership and members of the Dole family will be in attendance. It is open to invited members of Congress and invited guests.

12 p.m.: The Rotunda opens for viewing of Dole’s casket. Only members of Congress, congressional staff and invited guests will be permitted to attend. The Capitol remains officially closed to the public due to COVID-19.

8 p.m.: The viewing period for the lying in state in the Rotunda concludes.

Friday, Dec. 10

9:30 a.m.: A departure ceremony will be held, with formal departure expected at 10 a.m.

11 a.m.: A funeral service will be held at Washington National Cathedral. This is an invitation-only event, with Biden expected to offer a eulogy, along with former Kansas Republican Sen. Pat Roberts and former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, as well as the late senator’s daughter, Robin Dole.

1:15 p.m.: The motorcade carrying Dole’s casket will stop at the World War II Memorial for a public tribute ceremony. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark A. Milley will offer remarks, along with actor Tom Hanks and NBC host Savannah Guthrie.

2:35 p.m.: A departure ceremony is scheduled to take place at Joint Base Andrews, Md., before Dole’s casket will travel to Salina Regional Airport in Kansas ahead of ceremonies in the late senator’s home state.

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