U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 2 “Voting and Quorum Procedures in the Senate,” CRS Report 96-452 (17-page PDF) “Procedures for Considering Changes in Senate Rules,” CRS Report R42929 (21-page PDF) “Proposals to Change the Operation of Cloture in the Senate,” CRS Report R41342 (26-page PDF) “Proposals to Reform ‘Holds’ in the Senate,” CRS Report RL31685 … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Vote Unless rules specify otherwise, the Senate may agree to any question by a majority of senators voting, if a quorum is present. The Chair puts each question by voice vote unless the “yeas and nays” are requested, in which case a roll call vote … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Quorum Call A call of the roll to establish whether a quorum is present — 218 in the House and 100 in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union; a quorum in the Senate is 51. If any senator “suggests … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Recorded Vote / Roll Call Vote Roll Call Vote on H.R. 2126 Recorded Vote: A vote upon which each member’s stand is individually made known. In the Senate, this is accomplished through a roll call of the entire membership, to which each senator … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Quorum photo credit: ateneinrivolta Quorum, n. A sufficient number of members of a deliberative body to have their own way and their own way of having it. In the United States Senate a quorum consists of the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and a … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Without Objection Senate Judiciary Committee w/Alberto Gonzales-7/24/07 Pt13 Used in lieu of a vote on non-controversial motions, amendments or bills that may be passed in either the House or Senate if no member voices an objection. Voting in the Senate is by voice, … Read more
Filibuster / Unlimited Debate Creative Commons License photo credit: PatrickRohe When a senator is recognized to speak on a pending measure, few limitations are placed on her. Debate is generally unlimited on all pending measures. A senator may yield to another senator for a question, but the senator still controls the floor. One of the … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Yeas and Nays photo credit: dhendrix73 Yeas 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 … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Unanimous Consent photo credit: levork Proceedings of the House or Senate and action on legislation often take place upon the unanimous consent of the chamber, whether or not a rule of the chamber is being violated. Unanimous consent is used to expedite floor action and … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Adjourn photo credit: Gaffke Photography v2.8 Adjourn: Formal motion to end a day’s session of a chamber of Congress. A motion to adjourn in the Senate (or a committee) ends that day’s session. Adjournment is not a recess. Because procedures are so strictly determined when … Read more