vbnative73 wrote:
Bflamante wrote:
scarletwahoo wrote:
only 58 votes, needed 60
Can someone explain why 60, not a majority??
Yes, kinda confused by that one too.
I'm not completely sure, but from what I read in various news stories today, the vote that failed was for "cloture", which is how you stop a filibuster, and allow an actual vote on a particular issue.
http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/cloture.htm
The Senate allows a filibuster, which is basically when a member or members talk a bill to death, not stopping to allow a vote yes or no. The Senate rules say you need a 3/5ths majority, or 60 votes to stop a filibuster, and allow a regular yes or no vote.
I guess in the interest of not actually talking forever, the rules take a failure to grant cloture as the death of the issue at hand.
I didn't read that the amendment was actually under a filibuster, but Schumer promised he would, so I suppose he did.
This is why there has been such a big deal about the Democrats gaining that 60th seat, and thus a filibuster-proof majority. Even the most hideous legislation or judicial nominee cannot be blocked by the Republicans, because the Democrats will have 60 votes, enough to grant cloture and stop any Republican filibuster that could ordinarily be used to prevent an up/down vote on very bad things.
TFred
TFred