[Political Junkie Too]

How many do they need to pass the vote giving authority to the Sergeant at Arms to roust the Senate?

I don't know, but my guess is a majority of those present at the time can call for the rest to come, as long as at least 50%+1 is present in the first place.

-PJ

[Havoc]

Quorum is Half plus one - simple majority. That is why all the Dems are coming in. The Seargent at arms had to be called because at least half the senate was not present. No vote needed to do that. They're getting enough people present to push for Estrada confirmation vote at midnight and they will be voting to debate briefly and then vote. That is what this is. Once they vote on this, and win, then it goes to final debate - brief, then they vote on Estrada. At that point, it will be fillibuster time. They're going to take till midnight just to get a quorum at this point. So, it will be after midnight before a fillibuster begins. The impact as I've said before is that not only will they have to hold the floor, they will start after a 16 hour business day (already) with no sleep. Is'nt Frist a wonderful man :)