[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 8, 2011)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D202-D203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                             Tuesday, March 8, 2011

[[Page D202]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate passed S. 23, Patent Reform Act, as amended.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S1335-S1414
Measures Introduced: Fifteen bills and two resolutions were introduced, 
as follows: S. 501-515, and S. Res. 94-95.                   
  Page S1406
Measures Passed:
  Patent Reform Act: By 95 yeas to 5 nays (Vote No. 35), Senate passed 
S. 23, to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent 
reform, after taking action on the following amendments proposed 
thereto:                                       
  Pages S1348-52, S1360-94
Adopted:
  Reid/Ensign Modified Amendment No. 143, to include public 
institutions of higher education in the definition of a micro entity. 
                                                             Page S1362
Withdrawn:
  Reid Amendment No. 152 (to Reid Amendment No. 143), to provide an 
effective date.                                              
Page S1362
Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent-time agreement was reached providing that at 12 noon, on 
Wednesday, March 9, 2011, Senate proceed to the immediate consideration 
of H.R. 1, making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the 
other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2011; that there be three hours of debate on the 
bill and the Democratic alternative--Inouye Amendment No. 149, with the 
time equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, prior 
to a vote on passage of the bill; that the vote on passage of the bill 
be subject to a 60 vote threshold; that if the bill achieves 60 
affirmative votes, the bill be read a third time and passed; that if 
the bill does not achieve 60 affirmative votes, the Majority Leader be 
recognized to offer Inouye Amendment No. 149; the Senate then proceed 
to a vote on or in relation to the substitute amendment; that the 
substitute amendment be subject to a 60 vote threshold; if the 
substitute amendment achieves 60 affirmative votes, the substitute 
amendment be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and 
passed; if the substitute amendment does not achieve 60 affirmative 
votes, H.R. 1, be returned to the calendar; that no motions or 
amendments be in order to the substitute amendments, or to the bill 
prior to the votes; provided further, that all of the above occur with 
no intervening action or debate.                             
  Page S1362
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the cloture 
vote with respect to the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 1, 
be vitiated.                                                 
Page S1362
Joint Meeting--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that at 10:40 a.m., on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, Senate 
recess until 12 noon for a Joint Meeting with the Honorable Julia 
Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia; that following the Joint Meeting, 
the Senate reconvene at 12 noon, and proceed to consideration of H.R. 
1, as provided for under the previous order.             
  Pages S1413-14
Message from the President: Senate received the following message from 
the President of the United States:
  Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report of the continuation of the 
national emergency with respect to Iran that was declared in Executive 
Order 12957 on March 15, 1995; which was referred to the Committee on 
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM--7)                 
Page S1405
Executive Communications:                                
  Pages S1405-06
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S1406-07
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:              
  Pages S1407-12
Additional Statements:                                       
  Page S1405
Amendments Submitted:                                        
  Page S1413
Notices of Hearings/Meetings:                                
  Page S1413
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                          
  Page S1413

[[Page D203]]

Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--35)   
  Page S1381
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:02 p.m., 
until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2011. (For Senate's program, see 
the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page 
S1414.)