US Senate bailout vote requires close attention - Reuters

[steve2470]

http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSN0133874620081001

WASHINGTON, Oct 1 (Reuters) - When the U.S. Senate votes on Wednesday night on a $700 billion rescue plan for the reeling financial sector, decorum will rule and those following the results will have to listen carefully.

Unlike the sometimes raucous 435-member House of Representatives, where votes are cast electronically and a running tally is plastered on C-SPAN television, the 100-member Senate follows a more arcane process.

Senators in the chamber hear their name called aloud and vote by catching the eye of the clerk who tallies the result by hand.

"They usually say 'aye' or 'nay' or sometimes give a thumbs up or thumbs down," said Donald Ritchie, associate Senate historian. "The clerk reads it back."

more at link above