The panel met in Washington earlier this week to discuss the proposal.

The panel met six or seven times in 2009, beginning several weeks after the February 1 nomination deadline.

The panel will meet this weekend for its final deliberations and decisions.

The panel has not disbanded but will meet again if new evidence comes to light, officials said.

But he said the panel could meet in private when "formulating its recommendations for the President."

Typically, a panel meets for a total of 12 working hours to consider the 60 proposals.

Last week, five panels met, made their recommendations and departed.

The panel met for the first time on 19 July 2010.

The advisory panel will meet for three days beginning on Wednesday.

The panel, operating at what officials said is about the normal pace, met for the first time five months later.