Cloture filed on Patent Reform Act

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) filed a motion to limit debate on the Patent Reform Act at 6:35 p.m. Thursday night.

The patent bill has been pending before the upper chamber since Monday, as senators have attempted to alter it with amendments. Controversy over a budget extension bill and other amendments that were not germane to the underlying bill have, in part, slowed progress on the legislation.

Now that Reid has filed cloture on the bill, it must ripen for one legislative day and one hour before the entire body can vote on whether to bring the bill into a 30-hour period of final debate prior to a vote on passage.

In the preliminary vote, which could occur in the middle of next week, the bill must clear a 60-vote threshold. Floor manager for the bill, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), said he hoped the bill would be passed by Thursday afternoon of next week.

Votes on further amendments could occur throughout next week. The first vote will occur at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

The Senate adjourned at 6:41 p.m. on Thursday.

-- Updated at 10:06 a.m. on Friday