From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms
Yeas and Nays
photo credit: dhendrix73Yeas and Nays: A vote in which members respond “aye” or “no” on a question. Their names are called in alphabetical order
The Constitution requires that yea-and-nay votes be taken and recorded when requested by one-fifth of the members present (Article I, Section 5). In the House, the Speaker determines whether one-fifth of the members present requested a vote. In the Senate, the practice requires only 11 members. The Constitution requires the yeas and nays on a veto override attempt (Article I, Section 7).
US Senate votes on US$700B financial bailout package
In the Senate, a Senator who wants a roll call vote on a pending question asks for the “yeas and nays” on the question. The request will be granted if seconded by one-fifth of a quorum, but this action does not bring debate to an end; it only means that whenever debate does end, a roll call vote will occur.
More
- Recorded Vote
- Chapter 5.M. Voting; in Congressional Procedure
- “Voting and Quorum Procedures in the Senate” CRS Report 96-452 (16-page PDF
) - “Ordering a Rollcall Vote in the Senate” CRS Report RS20199 (5-page PDF)
- “From Slip Law to United States Code: A Guide to Federal Statutes for Congressional Staff,” CRS Report R45190 (17-page PDF)
- “Defense Authorization and Appropriations Bills: FY1961-FY2021,” CRS Report 98-756 (50-page PDF)
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CongressionalGlossary.com, from TheCapitol.Net
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