Uh, why did it require a 2/3 majority to pass? (And incidentally, given that requirement, the 26 Republicans made absolutely no difference to the outcome).
‘Uh, why did it require a 2/3 majority to pass? (And incidentally, given that requirement, the 26 Republicans made absolutely no difference to the outcome).’
First it was considered under a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill not under the regular procedure. This takes two/thirds. It will be brought back under the regular order and pass, since it has a majority.
Second, if the 26 Republicans had switched it would have passed with over 300 votes to about 120, well over 2/3.
‘Uh, why did it require a 2/3 majority to pass? (And incidentally, given that requirement, the 26 Republicans made absolutely no difference to the outcome).’
First it was considered under a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill not under the regular procedure. This takes two/thirds. It will be brought back under the regular order and pass, since it has a majority.
Second, if the 26 Republicans had switched it would have passed with over 300 votes to about 120, well over 2/3.
The Republicans will make a difference when the House leaders start picking off Dems with pork to vote for it. The Tea Party is not going to betray the constitutional rights of Americans again. We have seen the Patriot act in action and it has little to do with protecting America from terrorism and a lot to do with violating the rights of Americans.