[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 130 (Tuesday, September 6, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S5322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    Leahy-Smith America Invents Act

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support cloture 
on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1249, the Leahy-Smith America Invents 
Act. This bipartisan legislation will make our patent system more 
effective and more efficient. It will enhance transparency and patent 
quality and improve certainty in the patent process. It will also 
enhance the ability of the Patent and Trademark Office to cut its 
backlog and process patent applications in a more expeditious manner. 
Ultimately, this bill will help promote innovation and technological 
advancements and will provide a stimulus for American businesses and, 
obviously, will help generate new jobs.
  My colleagues will recall the Senate passed the bill we entitled the 
America Invents Act earlier this year by a margin of 95 to 5. The House 
bill is very similar to our Senate bill, so Senators should not have a 
problem supporting it. In addition, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act 
enjoys the widespread support of a large number of industries and other 
stakeholders from within the United States patent community.
  I am pleased to support the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, and I 
urge my colleagues to vote for cloture on the motion to proceed so we 
can get this bill done as soon as possible.