[GoCards]

How many votes do they need to pass this bill? Will they need R votes or just 51?

[PapaBear3625]

They will try to pass the rules change with 51 votes by using procedural slight of hand.

[rawhide]

I am thinking only a majority is needed to make a rules change. Usually each new Senate just approves and accept the rules from the previous Senate, and so on. But the Senate does have the option to make changes of the rules at the start of each new Senate session. Rarely ever done though.

[Eagle of Liberty]

How many votes do they need to pass this bill? Will they need R votes or just 51?

Well, according to current Standing Rules, it requires 2/3 vote to end a filibuster of a rules change. But Reid has threatened to use the constitutional option, which Byrd cited in 1975 as meaning that each new Senate on the first "day" can make whatever rules they want. Article I, Section V of the Constitution.

Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member.

Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either House on any question shall, at the desire of one fifth of those present, be entered on the journal.

Neither House, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

[Christian Engineer Mass]

The Maine & Alaska R’s can be counted as D’s.