I must be a little thick.
So with wedding Senator gone, the vote is valid because it’s paired. But with wedding Senator there (and with Joe Manchin’s vote), the vote would not be valid. Is that correct?
“(and with Joe Manchin’s vote), “
Joe is not one of Mitch’s “people”. Mitch cannot count on a Democrat- or Mitch wouldn’t be doing his job.
(And NO ONE should ever think themselve ‘thick’ for being perplexed by Senate procedure, rules, or their consequences!)