CSPAN2: Senator Levin just got an affirmation that 3/5ths vote needed

[TahitiNut]

The cloture motion on the Owens confirmation pending before the Senate is now being voted upon. Senator Levin made a parliamentary inquiry to the acting President Pro-Tem of the Senate regarding the sufficient vote for cloture to pass. The acting President Pro-Tem responded "3/5ths of those duly chosen and sworn."

This, for the purposes of the current (109th) Congress, establishes a ruling affirming the legitimacy of a super-majority.

Interesting ploy.

[Dudley_DUright]

1. I caught that too

Very smart indeed.

[AnnInLa]

2. Please further elaborate on your take

"Interesting ploy" what are your thoughts?

[TahitiNut]

8. He put another arrow into his floor debate quiver.

While it might be thought to be a potentially useful arrow - if there were a rational and principled target - the Reich's proclaimed intent to ignore the long-standing Rules and speciously fabricate a fraudulent rationalization for unilaterally abolishing such a Rule by sheer fiat demonstrates an attitude absent any accommodation for the "Rule of Law" ... an arrogant abuse of power yet unseen in this nation's history.

[Pithy Cherub]

3. Glad Levin is formally capping and covering.

That does not mean that the 'rules' cannot be amended as what has just befallen the senate chamber. The parlimentarian had ruled against the change, but the republicans were going to override it. Levin is justly ensuring it is on the record should the future bring more of what we just saw on judges.

[IkeWarnedUs]

4. What if they held a vote and nobody showed up?

Watching C-Span 2 you can see the Senate chamber is practically empty and very few Senators cast a vote at all.

In the initial round, no Senator voted no.

They went through the roll and now seem to be trying to gather enough Senators to cast the votes needed.

Some are now voting yes and others no.

Anyone have a count?

I wonder how long they will keep the vote open?

[halobeam]

5. Not counting but seems there are just a few no's.

[goobergunch]

6. Just turned the vote back on

Lautenberg voted against, don't know if anybody else did. Too depressing to watch, really....

<edit>Corzine also voted NO.</edit>

[sleipnir]

7. This is typical parlimentary proceedure.

But sadly, so it begins. The beginning of the end is here for Democracy and the Democratic party.

Unless we gain back the Senate next year, the country is doomed to more extreme nominees and they will whizz by confirmation.

Damn shame, a damn shame.

[TahitiNut]

9. Cloture: Yea 81, Nay 18

I'll bet a dollar to a mouldy old horse turd that the Reich proclaims "bipartisan support" for Owen over and over and over again. I wouldn't call it impossible that she'd be a Reich nominee for SCOTUS in the next 3 years. That's how boundlessly arrogant the Reich has become.

[joanski0]

10. Thanks, Tahiti. I was wondering

why Senator Levin asked that question. Thanks!

I also heard No votes from Kennedy, Kerry, Dodd, Corzine, Lautenberg, Stabanow.