i today would like to speak for a few minutes on behalf of justice barbara m. keenanwho is the nominee to serve on the fourth circuit court. and i would like to respectfully request in the name of good governance and the proper functioning of our constitutional system that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle allow a prompt vote on her nomination. justice keenan was voted out of committee in october of last year by a unanimous voice vote. her nomination is noncontroversial. she's been a dedicated public servant, a fair and balanced jewist and her nomination has had -- jurorist. there are currently four vacancies on the fourth circuit, more than any other circuit and the seat that justice keenan would fill has been jake ant now for more than -- vacant now for more than two years. justice keenan is an extraordinary choice to fill this vacancy. she has been a state supreme court justice since 1991. she has been a trailblazer for women in law throughout her career. she was the first female district court judge in virginia when she was selected for the fairfax cou

the clerk: nomination, the judiciary, barbara keenan of virginia to be united states circuit judge for the fourth circuit. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: cloture motion: we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of barbara keenan of virginia to be united states circuit judge for the fourth circuit signed by 17 senators as follows: -- mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. reid: i ask that the reading of the names be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask on tuesday, march, 2, after a period of morning the senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the keenan nomination at the time until 12:15 be for debate only on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination with the time equally divide and controlled between leahy and sessions or designees. that at 12:1:25 that there will be a vote on the motion to invoke cloture. the presiding officer: without objec