Democratic Senator (Feinstein): ‘We Do Have Support’ For An Assault Weapons Ban"

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19. No they couldn't.

The Republicans listed a series of amendments to cut spending, which they labeled "pork," and to toughen some of the bill's criminal provisions as measures they would press if the point of order survived a challenge.

Once the tactic failed, it was clear that Republicans could not maintain a filibuster, which also takes 60 votes to halt, although Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, the minority leader, said he was not sure how long they would persist.

(http://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/26/us/decision-senate-overview-crime-bill-approved-61-38-but-senate-going-home-without.html?pagewanted=all" target="_blank">NY Times, 8/26/94)

According to the official roll call vote, 61 senators voted yea, essentially rendering any filibuster attempt worthless.

The two Dems who voted nay: Richard Shelby (who later became a Republican) and Russ Feingold.

The Republicans who voted yea: Lincoln Chafee (who became an independent in 2010 or 2011), William Cohen, John Danforth, Jim Jeffords (who became independent in 2001 or so), Nancy Kassebaum, Bill Roth, and Arlen Specter.