The Senate Convenes at  2:00pmET March 7, 2011

Morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

-Calendar #4, Anthony Battaglia, of CA, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of CA

-Calendar #32, Sue Myerscough, of IL, to be US District Judge for the Central District of IL

-Calendar #33, James Shadid, of IL, to be US District Judge for the Central District of IL

There will be one hour for debate equally divided between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.

Upon the use or yielding back of time, Calendar #32, Sue Myerscough, of IL, to be US District Judge for the Central District of IL will be confirmed.

The Senate will then proceed to a series of 3 roll call votes on the following:

–confirmation of Executive Calendar #33, James Shadid, of IL, to be US District Judge for the Central District of IL

-confirmation of Executive Calendar #4, Anthony Battaglia, of CA, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of CA

-motion to invoke cloture on S.23, the America Invents Act

5:00pm Filing deadline for all 2nd degree amendments to S.23, the America Invents Act.

There will be no further roll call votes today.

Cloture on S.23, the America Invents Act, was invoked by a vote of 87-3.

Following the vote, the pending Leahy and Bennet amendments were withdrawn. The Baucus amendment #141, as modified, was agreed to. Senator Reid then called up amendment #143 (to include public higher education in EPSCOR jurisdictions in definition of micro entity) and Reid #152 (effective date).

The Senate is now in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Votes:

32: Confirmation of Executive Calendar #33, James Shadid, of IL, to be US District Judge for the Central District of IL;

Confirmed: 89-0

33: Confirmation of Executive Calendar #4, Anthony Battaglia, of CA, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of CA;

Confirmed: 89-0

34: Motion to invoke cloture on S.23, the America Invents Act;

Invoked: 87-3

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.55, a resolution expressing support for designation of a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

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The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on March 8, 2011 for Morning-Hour Debate.