Whew! I'm relieved to see this statement, because I was worried, not to mention puzzled by the numbers. Can you explain the cloture issue for me, if you have time, or point me to a good explanation? I've been a little distracted here, but I'd like to know what to look for. Thanks.
cloture is a vote to end the debate they just voted to have. Ending the debate leads to the simple 51 member vote that passes an amendment stripping the defunding of ACA out of the house bill. It takes 60s votes to stop debate.
“Can you explain the cloture issue for me, if you have time, or point me to a good explanation?”
Nope LOL!
However in regards to just this bill there are only two cloture votes: one to proceed to debate (the one that just happened) and one to end debate which will come Saturday or possibly Friday- or even Sunday.
That vote to end debate will mean that the Senate must then proceed to vote on the bill and any amendments pending.
One of the amendments pending will be from Harry Reid and it will be an “amendment in the nature of a substitute” or an “amendment to strike” which will replace the language of the House bill.
There will be no further cloture vote so Harry’s new bill (funding Obamacare and any other thing he wants) will pass with 51 votes.
That’s why Cruz wants to filibuster that second vote
Cruz is fighting the cloture vote since after cloture, amendments can be added before a final vote. Reid has promised he would allow only one amendment: to re-instate funding of Obamacare.
The vote to end cloture takes 60 votes. The vote on the bill (with Reid's amendment) would be simple majority. The Republicans have the number to block cloture but not the bill vote; if they have the spine.