I have an important question to ask. Please help if you can.

rooney

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Mon Jul-16-07 02:33 PM
Original message

I have an important question to ask. Please help if you can.

How can we tell if voting on something takes 60 votes or 67, or 51? I also do not understand the word cloture which is mentioned a lot like ''voting for cloture'' My husband and I have been trying to find information on this for several days with no luck. Thanks, Rooney4

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cally

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Mon Jul-16-07 02:38 PM
Response to Original message

1. A cloture vote is held to end a fillibuster

in the Senate. Any bill requires 51 votes to pass but the Senate allows a filibuster. Basically, a Senator can take the floor and talk and the Senate will not hold a vote on the bill unless 60 Senators vote to stop the filibuster. This is a cloture vote. In practice, Reid has been allowing just the threat of a filibuster to stop the vote unless 60 Senators vote for cloture. The Senate needs two thirds (67) to overturn a Presidential veto.

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MonkeyFunk

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Mon Jul-16-07 02:42 PM
Response to Original message

2. It takes 60 votes to end debate on a bill

but only 51 votes for that bill to pass. But it won't come to a vote if >39 senators want to block it.

It takes 67 votes to overturn a presidential veto, approve a constitutional amendment, or convict on impeachment.

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Nite Owl

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Mon Jul-16-07 03:09 PM
Response to Original message

3. A cloture vote

is a vote to stop talking (hard for most of them!) and get down to the vote. That takes 60 votes

To override a Presidential veto it takes 2/3's plus one or 67 votes. If we can't get the votes most of the time for cloture there is little chance of overcoming a veto.

Once the Senate actually votes on a bill it only takes a simple majority, 50+1. That is why it is important to keep old Joe Leiberman in the caucus, without him it's 50/50 and Cheney being the President of the Senate gets to break the ties.

Here's a list of the terms used often:

http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/cloture.htm

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rooney

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Mon Jul-16-07 03:53 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. thank all of you so very much, I believe after

I read this information several times, I will be clear on the voting. I never studied anything about politics, and now I am so interested. I am from Texas and a very devout democratic family. My husband is also. When we were young, there were no Republican boxes at in our towns for voting. Now Texas is a red state and I'm so embarressed that we produced The Chimp. We believe the governors election in Texas was rigged in order for George to win against the incumbant, Ann Richards, who was extremely popular. They also swiftboated her for sure. Texas does not have a very good reputation.

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Nite Owl

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Mon Jul-16-07 04:22 PM
Response to Reply #4

5. Good luck rooney

Any questions, anytime, just ask.

You guys in the red states have quite a job, you are right on the front lines. It is sometimes difficult up here in the Northeast fighting for things to happen but we got it comparatively easy.

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cally

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Mon Jul-16-07 08:01 PM
Response to Reply #4

6. Just ask

I do. I've learned so much here by just asking. We are all learning as we go along. Who knew that we would need to know how the Senate votes on cloture. I never thought I would need to know that.

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