I’m gonna go look it up - but my question on the rule is When did the 60 votes become the requirement. I’ve been surprised to find that the rules change often so they aren’t sacred cows in most cases. Though I think there are some that have been in place since the first few congresses that should remain respected.
Found it
prior “ In 1917, during World War I, a rule allowing cloture of a debate was adopted by the Senate on a 76-3 roll call vote[15] at the urging of President Woodrow Wilson,”
From 1917 to 1949, the requirement for cloture was two-thirds of senators voting.
In 1949, the Senate made invoking cloture more difficult by requiring two-thirds of the entire Senate membership to vote in favor of a cloture motion
In 1959, anticipating more civil rights legislation, the Senate under the leadership of Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson restored the cloture threshold to two-thirds of those voting.[21]
After a series of filibusters in the 1960s over civil rights legislation, the Senate put a “two-track system” into place in 1970
In 1975, the Senate revised its cloture rule so that three-fifths of sworn senators (60 votes out of 100) could limit debate, except for changing Senate rules which still requires a two-thirds majority of those present and voting to invoke cloture
In 1975, the Senate revised its cloture rule so that three-fifths of sworn senators (60 votes out of 100) could limit debate, except for changing Senate rules which still requires a two-thirds majority of those present and voting to invoke cloture
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So, I’m not sure where we are at. If I heard correctly, the Senate voted to suspend the rules. There was also a vote to which Pence broke the tie - didn’t catch what that was. A Dem voted for it, and Flake voted against it.