[deport]

why then would not 51 votes put Astrada on the bench?

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Because the Senate Rules do not provide for time limits on debate... The call to vote must be agreed to by all or it doesn't occur. If it ever occurs on the Up or Down on Estrada he'll win with the 55 that has said they've vote for his confirmation. It's getting to that vote that is the problem.

To shut down the debate cloture is a possibility. That requires 60 votes by the Senators to start the process of bringing it to a vote under the cloture rule.

[mabelkitty]

In the future, can we just up and down vote without debate?