Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night.

[Barack_America]

High Drama Shaping Up for Tonight's Stimulus Vote in the Senate.

The original stimulus plan passed the Senate with 61 votes. Because the approved House and Senate bills differed, the stimulus plan then went to conference where a conference report was adopted. This will be voted on today in both the House and Senate.

The stimulus will pass the House easily, despite the obstructionist GOP's certain lamentations (crying for the camera, with open palms behind their backs, eager to accept their share of the money).

But the Senate will not be so easy. For reasons that have been the topic of debate on DU, just like the original bill, the conference report will require 60 votes in order to pass.

And that is what makes it interesting, because:

1). Ted Kennedy has gone to Florida to resume his cancer treatments (that brings us down to 60 votes)

2). Sherrod Brown has gone to Ohio to participate in funeral activities for his mother (now we have 59 votes)

And this is of course assuming that everybody else who voted for the first stimulus bill again votes for the conference report.

So, what Reid is planning to do, according to somewhat sketchy reports I've assembled, is to:

1). Begin the vote at 7:00PM (according to CBS News)

2). Hold the vote open until at least 8:00PM when Brown could arrive to cast the deciding vote (according to First Read)

But, there's still more drama. At sundown tonight begins the Jewish Sabbath, of which Lieberman is a devout participant. As a result, Lieberman has pledged to walk to the Capitol in order to cast his vote.

So what's likely to happen tonight is that the Senate vote is going to sit at 59 "yays" for a good long while as Brown's plane makes its way from Ohio to DC.

Anyone care to share some :popcorn: with me while we track Brown's flight, praying (or similar substitute) for no delays? :D

Also, does anybody know how long a Senate vote can be held open? Can we expect to hear the Republicans bitch and moan to the sympathetic press while Reid is stalling for Brown?

[Thrill]

1. I heard Obama wants to have a Prime Time Bill Signing next week

Thats a great way to call out the Repubs who vote against it

[Clio the Leo]

2. Now as much as we dislike Lieberman....

.... that is pretty cool.

Perhaps letting him retain his chairmanship wasn't such a bad idea after all. :)

[Barack_America]

4. Like most people...

...he has his merits.

Not enough for me to hope he gets reelected, but he does often does the right thing.

[rvablue]

18. I don't really see it as "pretty cool"

he still has a lot to atone for after what he did and said during the campaign.

Remember his little trip to AK to give Sarah Foreign Policy 101 lessons?

I'm not ready to start applauding JL's actions, even if they are pro-Democratic. He has a lot to make up for. His stroll to the Capitol tonight is only a baby step in that direction. And more likely just another self-interested ass-saving measure, as that poll came out in CT this week showing that he is on very, very shaky ground with his constituents.

[Egnever]

24. whats cool about that?

[tekisui]

3. Oh boy.

Here we go....

[Barack_America]

8. Well it is Friday the 13th.

;)

I think the big question here is, how low is the GOP willing to go. Are they really prepared to demand a vote be closed when a man is traveling back from his mother's viewing (the funeral is apparently on Sunday) in order to cast his vote?

The thing that concerns me is the answer to the question of "how low is the GOP willing to go" is usually "pretty fucking low".

[CitizenPatriot]

44. seeing as they wanted Obama investigated

for using his plane to see his grandmother as she lay dying (and she died days later), I think it's safe to assume there is no bottom for the rushians.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. I'd like some popcorn, please...

It IS going to be a bumpy night...

*fingers crossed*

:popcorn:

[FormerDittoHead]

6. We don't need them to be present...

It doesn't even take 50 votes to pass, just a majority.

It's my understanding that the thing about the 60 votes is be able to break a (threatened) filibuster. If the lines are drawn (as the Republicans like to do at the drop of a hat), however, then I honestly don't think your worries would be realized because there would be an agreement that if things were to go as you suggest we'd postpone the bill until we had a majority present. I wouldn't be surprised if after all this wrangling some Republicans in swing states sat out on the vote altogether.

[Barack_America]

10. That's the confusion. Because this bill goes against the Budget Act...

...it requires 60 votes for its passage. That's what the "debate" I linked to above was about.

If it required a simple majority, Reid wouldn't be holding the vote open for Brown. It wouldn't be necessary.

[sandnsea]

12. It takes 40 votes to filibuster

If a few Republicans have an "emergency", then it can pass with less votes. I think that's the other poster's point.

[Barack_America]

14. Ah, okay. Gotcha.

Thanks.

:hi:

[leftynyc]

26. Nothing to do with fillibuster

When you're raising the federal deficit you need 3/5 vote.

[FormerDittoHead]

28. OK. I didn't know that. n/t

[babylonsister]

7. Jeeze. Thanks for that shot of optimism.

:(

[Barack_America]

9. Not being pessimisstic. Just trying to prepare everyone for the vote.

Which is going to be confusing.

If we know what to expect, perhaps the hysteria will be lessened?

:shrug:

[babylonsister]

11. I know, and I do appreciate the info. Seems like it's going to be

a long day.

[Barack_America]

13. Plain Dealer Blog: Sherrod Brown, the 60th vote?

Sherrod Brown, the 60th vote? Ohio senator is key to passage of the stimulus bill

Posted by Stephen Koff / Washington Bureau Chief February 13, 2009 10:14AM

WASHINGTON — Assuming that Republicans will vote no differently from last time, it will take every available Democratic senator tonight to win final passage of the $789 billion economic stimulus package. But two things complicate the calculus -- leaving Ohio's Sherrod Brown in a spot that is bound to get attention.

If you're watching tonight and see or hear a commotion surrounding Brown, here's why.

His mother, Emily Campbell Brown, died recently. The funeral is tomorrow, and calling hours are today, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. In Mansfield.

The Senate vote on the stimulus bill is scheduled around 7 p.m.

So Brown has to leave Mansfield as soon as he can, catch a plane to Washington and be at the Capitol to vote. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will hold it open as long as necessary for Brown to return...

More:
http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2009/02/sherrod_brown_the_60th_vote.html

You've got to appreciate what Sherrod Brown is doing here, during such a difficult time for his family.

[DCBob]

15. I volunteer to carry Lieberman on my back to the Capital if necessary...

l'chayim!

[DCBob]

16. Is it possible they may have a couple more Republicans on board now..

There are some other moderates that might cross over with the right persuasion.

[Barack_America]

17. I'm hoping for it. Lugar indicated yesterday that he is still a "no"...

...but I'm holding out hope for Voinovich, in particular.

Plus I'm of the belief that the GOP timed Gregg's announcement to influence moderate Republicans against voting for the stimulus. Snowe went right back on TV and defended the stimulus, but I haven't been able to find a similar quote from Collins or Specter.

It's going to be an interesting night. I feel that the stimulus will pass in the end, but there will be tense moments.

[DCBob]

19. Is Kennedy for sure a no show?

I am sure the old lion would show up, life or death, if it meant passing the bill.

[Barack_America]

20. That seems to be the case. He's already in Florida.

But I'm sure he'd make the trek if Reid absolutely needed him.

[Blue_In_AK]

27. We were hoping Murkowski would flip,

but according to reports in this morning's newspaper, while she is happy with some portions of the bill, she's not happy with others, so she's going to vote "no." She has advised interested Alaskans to "get their grant requests ready," though, so she must know that it's going to pass. I suspect she's worried about her conservative base here in Alaska because they've been kind of vocal. Mark Begich, of course, is voting for the bill.

[Still Sensible]

47. So that's the game plan for some republicans

While they are really hoping the stimulus fails so they can say I told you so in future elections, the fall back--for the third of them that are not full-fledged kool aid drinkers--will be making sure that they are on record saying that they supported parts of the bill but just couldn't bring themselves to vote for the whole package.

The sad thing is... for a few of them it will work.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

21. Can somebody pass the butter and salt??!?! I'm hungry! n/t

:toast:

[Renew Deal]

22. Why don't they just schedule the vote for 8PM

or 9PM :shrug:

[Barack_America]

23. Probably because most Senators are planning to fly home tonight.

So they want to vote and leave.

I agree with you that would make sense, I'm just trying to guess at Reid's reasoning.


McCaskill mentioned (on her Twitter) delaying her flight home in order to vote.
http://twitter.com/clairecmc

[Phx_Dem]

25. Can Repukes fillibuster the actual vote? And if not, why do we need 60?

I'm am incensed that these assholes' states will get a dime of stimulus money after they vote against the bill. That just pisses me off, and I'm in one of the asshole states. Fair is fair. We should get only a tiny percentage of $ based on the number of representatives who voted for the bill, which in my state won't be many.

[DCBob]

29. No, they cannot filibuster a bill coming from conference but the Budget Act requires 60 votes.

"According to Senate rules, a bill that has emerged from a joint conference cannot be filibustered and could be passed with a simple majority. A 60-vote majority, however, may still be needed to waive provisions of the Budget Act, as required by Senate rules when a pending bill raises the federal deficit."

http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/articleview/8099

[Barack_America]

30. And yet the funny thing is I have read several articles today, from well-respected...

...sources at DU, that have stated the 60 votes are needed to prevent a filibuster.

[onenote]

38. one more explanation of whether/why 60 votes are needed

It has been suggested -- with citations from articles making the claim -- that conference reports do not require cloture in the Senate and therefore there is no need for 60 votes. That is not accurate as a general statement. Under the regular rules of the Senate, debate on a conference report is limited (and thus cloture not necessary) only (i) if the Senate agrees to limit debate by
unanimous consent or (ii) if the Senate is considering the report under an expedited procedures established by law(such as the procedures for considering budget resolutions and budget reconciliation measures under the Budget Act). Examples of cloture votes on conference reports can be seen here http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00364 and here http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00358.

Now, I think we can rest assured that there was no UC (unanimous consent) to limiting debate on the stimulus bill confernece report. Therefore, it either will be subject to a cloture vote or it comes under a special rule. Such a special rule likely would limit debate, but then require 60 votes for passage.

I suppose its possible that there is a special rule applicable to the stimulus bill that limits debate and doesn't reaquire 60 votes, but I'm not aware of what that rule would be.

[Barack_America]

31. AP: Kennedy won't make final stimulus vote

It's official.

Kennedy won't make final stimulus vote

12 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Edward Kennedy, battling brain cancer, will miss the final Senate vote on the economic stimulus package.

Kennedy spokeswoman Melissa Wagoner said Friday that Kennedy was continuing his treatment and physical rehabilitation in warmer weather.

The Massachusetts Democrat has been working from Florida recently, and had returned to the Senate on Monday for an earlier stimulus vote.

Wagoner said Kennedy probably won't be on hand for the final vote since Democrats don't need his vote for final passage. She said Kennedy will travel back and forth until the weather gets warmer in Washington.

Kennedy suffered a seizure on Inauguration Day last month.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hr-IVHrnM43Z1wXyYztT5C3zLCgwD96ARUR80

[DCBob]

32. I take that as meaning they have the votes.

Hope Teddy gets well soon -- may need his vote again.

[Barack_America]

34. Me too.

Both that they have the votes and that Teddy recovers.

I'm glad that Reid's so certain of this, but it does make me wonder if he's gotten another Republican to sign-on. I certainly hope that he's not feeling this confidant if his 60th vote is in an airplane somewhere between Ohio and DC.

[grantcart]

35. I take this to mean that its a done deal - Republican Senators are not likely

to try a ruse to defeat it, they have come to some agreement.

[Jennicut]

33. "Walk" ? how far away is Joe from the Capital?

[Barack_America]

37. Apparently he'll also have to walk home. nt

[WI_DEM]

41. Why doesn't he just stay at the capital?

[democrattotheend]

43. He goes to synagogue in Georgetown, which is about 4 miles away

I don't know if that's where he lives, but it might be. Orthodox Jews usually live within walking distance to their synagogues. But Lieberman might live closer to Capitol Hill so he can walk there for votes when necessary.

[Barack_America]

36. Brown will not arrive until 10:30PM. White House providing a plane...

...to fly him directly to Andrews Air Force Base.

I'm sure the pukes will be on the TV bitching about that while the vote is held open.

Joe Lieberman will walk home to Georgetown after voting.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/13/AR2009021302342.html?hpid=topnews

[truedelphi]

39. There are ways for Senators to vote if not present

At least once in the past year or so a Democratic Senator has done that.

[truedelphi]

40. I think it involves the Sen appointing a proxie or some such. n/t

[onenote]

42. proxy voting is allowed by some committees, but not on floor votes

A senator has to show up in person in order to cast an aye or nay vote in the Senate

[tekisui]

45. I heard on the radio that Reid was looking into some procedural

maneuvers to pass it without depending on the three stooges. He must have something up his sleeve.

[Barack_America]

46. Hopefully it's something that highlights the BS the GOP is trying to pull in MN.

I firmly believe that they have no hope left for Coleman, but are just trying to keep the Dems at 58 as long as possible, in order to slow up Obama's agenda.

[Barack_America]

48. You can unbuckle your safety belts now.

;)