[haffast]

“A simple majority of 51 votes would be needed for confirmation, if debate is ended.”

If I understand procedure correctly:

Reid will invoke Rule 22 and Cloture. Call a vote to end “debate” which requires only a majority (51). Then he can call a vote up or down on the nominee which then only requires a simple majority, or 51 votes. Hagel is approved.

Meanwhile, expect Dem-MSM to beat the drums on how stupid and careless the Old White Man’s Party is for putting the country’s defense at risk by their actions and also allowing the sequester to occur also weakening defense. It’s a Win-Win Dems. America loses.

http://uspolitics.about.com/od/usgovernment/a/filibuster.htm

[Eva]

Obama wants Hagel as the secretary of defense because he can count on him to be stupid enough to accept the blame for not defending Israel. Hagel is not really the brightest bulb on the tree.

[Eagle of Liberty]

Call a vote to end “debate” which requires only a majority (51)

Reid schedules vote to end debate on Hagel nomination

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Wednesday filed a motion to end debate and vote to confirm President Barack Obama's defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel, setting the stage for a vote later this week.

Hagel's confirmation will require support from at least 60 senators to proceed to a vote, forcing Democrats to find at least five Republicans to overcome the procedural hurdle. Many Republicans, most notably Arizona Sen. John McCain and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, have voiced strong opposition to Hagel's nomination, citing a lack of information about the nominee.

Presidential nominees typically require a simple majority vote, but because of Republican opposition the chamber will need 60 to end debate, technically a filibuster.

"This is the first time in the history of our country that a presidential nominee for secretary of defense has been filibustered," Reid said when he made the announcement from the Senate floor on Wednesday. "What a shame. But that's the way it is."

Senate leaders are planning to hold the procedural vote on Friday. If Hagel passes the cloture vote, the Senate could debate for up to 30 hours before a final vote on his nomination.