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Does Kennedy Vacancy Reduce the Number of Votes Needed for Cloture?
I have not heard any discussion of this, so I was wondering if a vacant seat reduces the total number of senators and so reduces the number of senators needed to close debate/stop a filibuster? Does anyone know the answer to this?
Obviously, if the magic number became 59 rather than 60, the problems that had been potentially created by Kennedy not being available to cast a vote but still filling the seat would no longer be an issue.
Obviously, if the magic number became 59 rather than 60, the problems that had been potentially created by Kennedy not being available to cast a vote but still filling the seat would no longer be an issue.
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I think it stays at 60 votes. But would someone competent PLEASE weigh in here?
August 26, 2009 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
60%
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Filibuster_Cloture.htm
August 26, 2009 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
60% of 99 is 59.4. I guess this still means 60 votes because 59 votes would not get to 60%.
August 26, 2009 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
jonnie has it right. 60% right now is 59.4
http://groups.google.com/group/giveandtake/browse_frm/thread/87e322e13066902d
I think they need 60 to get most legislation through assuming a sold republican vote of 40--which is not always the case--and that would be enough to shut it down.
Remember there are other concerns. Lieberman does not sound like a dem these days.
Byrd probably thinks its 1958.
The budget legislation is a way around cloture as an issue.
Reconciliation is an issue when the House passes a bill with different provisions in it than the SEnate.
A lot of chess playing is going on every day.
August 26, 2009 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chess, indeed. Thanks for the thoughts.
August 26, 2009 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink