Will Senators have to vote on the Nuclear Option from their desks?

[Idioteque]

I found something interesting on the C-SPAN website.

I heard Senator Byrd admonish the other Senators on the floor that they should vote while seated at their desks instead of going up to the clerks at the rostrum to vote. I've never seen them vote seated. Is that really a requirement? Alexandria, Virginia - 7/21/00

Yes, it is actually a requirement for ALL votes held in the Senate! However, the Senate rarely enforces this regulation, except for votes of high significance when formality seems appropriate to mark the occasion. Most recently, Senators voted from their desks during President Clinton's impeachment trial in January, 1999. Senators also elected to vote from their desks on April 30, 1998 for the vote ratifying the NATO Expansion Treaty; on March 5, 1997, when they defeated the proposed Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution, and on October 15, 1991 when they voted to confirm the nomination of Justice Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.

The written requirement is not part of the Senate's rules, but a regulation -- part of the Standing Orders of the Senate. It was first instituted in 1984. For years prior, then Senator Jennings Randolph (D-WV) promoted the idea to the Senate, but to no avail. Senator Randolph served in the Senate from 1958-1984, and often spoke to the Senate about the need for that body to present a more dignified image. As a nostalgic tribute to his retirement, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 480 on October 11, 1984, and made it a standing order. It read:

Resolved, that it is a standing order of the Senate that during yea and nay votes in the Senate, each Senator shall vote from the assigned desk of the Senator.

Any Senator has the right to call upon the presiding officer to enforce this regulation as part of the regular order of procedure whenever the Senate votes. Senators rarely choose to do so. Senator Robert Byrd has on occasion done so, perhaps in tribute to his former Senate colleague, Senator Randolph, and perhaps because he has the seniority to remember when the Senate was a more formal body.

I hope Sen. Byrd requests that all members vote at their desks. It's the least they can do while they destroy the Senate!

[oldtime dfl_er]

1. Senator Byrd is amazing.

I just finished his book "Losing America". It should be required reading for every American.

www.cafepress.com/scarebaby

[BattyDem]

2. That is an EXCELLENT book!

I agree with you - it should be required reading for everyone. :toast:

[Gothmog]

3. Part of the nuclear winter in the nuclear option is triggered

The Senate has a host of rules that are not complied with due to the consent of all of the senators. If the nuclear option is triggered, then the Democrats will insist that all of these rules be complied with including requiring that each bill be read aloud twice and that the minutes of the prior day be read the first thing each morning.

The voting at their desks is just another rule that will be strictly followed if the nuclear option is triggered.

[htuttle]

4. Can you imagine if they had read the 800 page Patriot Act aloud?

Twice?

Would have taken them two weeks!

Then again, at least they would have read it first!