Reid Rule. The most poisonous political development I have ever seen in the US.
The confirmation of a Judge or Justice requires a significant majority vote (2/3 or 3/4). Easy to filibuster. Harry Reid noticed a procedural loophole: challenging a ruling requires a simple majority (1/2). Everyone votes on whatever-it-is. Just over half vote in favor. Whomever is presiding counts the votes and declares motion failed because they didn't get the 2/3rds or whatever. Someone makes a point of order objection, insists that it indeed was enough votes to pass. This question, "Is 51 out of 100 more than 2/3rds?" Is then voted on by the whole Senate. If 51 Senators say it is, then motion passes.
The Democrats pulled this stunt under Obama a few times, and the Republicans did it for Trump's Supreme Court picks, but there is no reason it can't be used for legislation as well.
Reid Rule. The most poisonous political development I have ever seen in the US.
The confirmation of a Judge or Justice requires a significant majority vote (2/3 or 3/4). Easy to filibuster. Harry Reid noticed a procedural loophole: challenging a ruling requires a simple majority (1/2). Everyone votes on whatever-it-is. Just over half vote in favor. Whomever is presiding counts the votes and declares motion failed because they didn't get the 2/3rds or whatever. Someone makes a point of order objection, insists that it indeed was enough votes to pass. This question, "Is 51 out of 100 more than 2/3rds?" Is then voted on by the whole Senate. If 51 Senators say it is, then motion passes.
The Democrats pulled this stunt under Obama a few times, and the Republicans did it for Trump's Supreme Court picks, but there is no reason it can't be used for legislation as well.
Reid Rule. The most poisonous political development I have ever seen in the US.
The confirmation of a Judge or Justice requires a significant majority vote (2/3 or 3/4). Easy to filibuster. Harry Reid noticed a procedural loophole: challenging a ruling requires a simple majority (1/2). Everyone votes on whatever-it-is. Just over half vote in favor. Whomever is presiding counts the votes and declares motion failed because they didn't get the 2/3rds or whatever. Someone makes a point of order objection, insists that it indeed was enough votes to pass. This question, "Is 51 out of 100 more than 2/3rds?" Is then voted on by the whole Senate. If 51 Senators say it is, then motion passes.
The Democrats pulled this stunt under Obama a few times, and the Republicans did it for Trump's Supreme Court picks, but there is no reason it can't be used for legislation as well.