The US Senate is still in session.

John Owens was just confirmed to the Ninth Circuit. President Obama and Majority Leader Reid scored a real victory with this confirmation.

Mar 27 2014

Washington—The Senate (click here) today advanced the nomination of John Owens of California to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The final vote on his confirmation is scheduled for Monday.

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) offered the following remarks on the Senate floor in advance of the cloture vote:

“I have come to the floor to urge my colleagues to support the nomination of John Owens to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. This was approved by the Judiciary Committee without dissent...

...The problem that has a risen around this nomination, though, is not really his qualificiations because the record will bear those qualifications out. It is the longest standing discussion over the seat vacated by Judge Stephen Trott. There is a history here, and I would like to explain it. 

This seat has been vacant for over 9 years - since Judge Trott took senior status in December 2004. It is the longest running vacancy in the entire federal judiciary. The Ninth Circuit has the greatest number of pending appeals per panel. It takes longer than other circuits to resolve an appeal. It makes no sense for this seat on the busiest circuit to stay vacant any longer....

Senate Majority Leader Reid is trying to get 60 votes for Medicare Payments to Doctors and are currently two votes short with 35 no votes.

They just got the 60 votes. It is a procedural vote.