[sergeantdave]

“They voted not to filibuster not to confirm him.”

Stick a comma in the sentence and a “but,” PhiKapMom. As in:

“They voted not to filibuster, but not to confirm him...”

Do you have a spare “also” in your wallet, as in ‘but “ALSO” not to...?

Here it is: “”They voted not to filibuster, but ALSO not to confirm him...”

It’s much more clear.

If you’re thin on “buts,” I can lend you a half-dozen.

See White’s “Elements of Style”

(Just havin’ a bit of fun with you. No offence meant, PhiKapMom.)

[bustinchops]

No, what you suggest is ambiguous. It sounds as though one vote covered two items of business:

“They voted not to filibuster, but ALSO not to confirm him.”

The vote not to filibuster did not include a vote to confirm or not confirm. It’s a separate vote, as you know, but your sentence conflates the two vote subjects.

“They voted to not filibuster the nomination, which means they can now vote to confirm or not confirm him.”