R Sheet on forcing votes
KEY POINTS
1) Today’s majority leaders exercise unprecedented control over the Senate floor.
2) They do so to prevent their colleagues from offering amendments without their prior approval.
3) Leaders block amendments by filling the amendment tree or offering a so-called “blocker” amendment to legislation pending on the floor.
4) But senators have two ways to force action on their amendments and these can be a source of leverage in negotiations with the majority leader.
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| Topics: | Legislative Procedure |