What happens now with Frist's comment that he would keep the Senate in session to vote on Alito if the Dem's stall the committee past the 20th? I think I remember a thread about that from this past Saturday?
Frist can't schedule Senate floor events around the nomination until after it is voted out of Committee. Right now, we think that will be on the 24th.
Frist has said that he will make the Alito nomination the sole business of the Senate from the time it is voted out of Committee until it is voted up or down. There are a few possible procedural avenues upon the nomination being voted out of Committee, including a unanimous consent agreement from the DEMs to vote up or down without invoking a cloture motion.