[rightsmart]

Don’t give up on calling, writing, emailing, and protesting Nelson. He is only saying he is voting to allow discussion of the bill (60 votes required). To my knowledge he has not yet stated how he would vote to end discussion on the Obamacare(also 60 votes required).

[Mrs. Don-o]

Nelson: “As we have seen before, obstructionists are inviting a move toward reconciliation by opposing this first procedural vote. Let's be clear. That route shrinks debate and amendments, eliminates bipartisanship and needs only 50 votes to pass a bill.

I don't understand this. Is he saying that if there was a "No" on the procedural vote to move the bill forward into debate, Reid could go straight to reconciliation? (It doesn't quite make sense to me.)

"If that ['fixing' the bill] is not possible, I will oppose the second cloture motion — needing 60 votes — to end debate and oppose the final bill."

Take a look at this other post and perhaps you can clear up this question for me:

Article says abortion battle could still "blow up" health care overhaul...prettiest phrase I've heard all day.

It also says "Reid will need to clear other 60-vote hurdles before senators cast their final vote on the bill."

I know that after the "cloture" that OK s debate and amendments, there's another 60-vote cloture vote "at the other end" to close debate. Is that the only one? Or are there still others?

Could some parliamentarian please lay this out so we will understand where our future 60-vote opportunities are?