Why do senators need 60 votes? Welcome to “cloture.”

By CJP | February 6, 2009

Several inquiring Janes have asked why President Obama keeps reaching out to Republicans to pass the stimulus bill when there are already 58 Democrats the Senate.  Majority rules, right?  Wrong.

Welcome to the mysterious world of Senate procedure, specifically the pesky “cloture vote.”

Before the Senate can vote on a bill, senators must first vote to end the debate on that bill.  The decision to stop talking and start voting is called a “cloture vote,” and must be approved by 60 senators, of which the Democrats have only 58.  See?

Still confused?  Let’s say a group of 10 Janes is planning a spring break trip, and cannot decide between beach or mountains.  After all 10 of them email back and forth for three days, Jane #1 says, “Our 14-day window to buy advanced purchase tickets is on Friday,  so let’s talk on Thursday night at 8:00 to vote on where to go.”

If at least six Janes agree to take a vote on Thursday night, they’ve got cloture.    If not, they’ll keep talking and talking until ski season is over and it’s time to make summer plans.

Got it?  If only passing a stimulus was so easy…

Topics: Glossary, Senate

Comments