7 Comments

I read somewhere that the parliamentarian's ruling (i.e. opinion) is important but not obligatory for passage of legislation. Is that so?

Expand full comment
author

The Parliamentarian's rulings are advisory in nature. The Senate - with just a majority - can vote to ignore rulings by the Parliamentarian (nuclear option) and create a new precedent. For example, if Democrats could get 50 votes plus the VP, they could create a way to address immigration reform through reconciliation. It wouldn't be a rules change (that can only happen with 67 votes), but that would change the precedents of the Senate. If you want to see more about precedents in the Senate, Google 'Riddick Senate procedure'

Expand full comment

Thanks. (My guess is that any Senate rules change would be a mammoth long shot.)

Expand full comment
founding

The Portman and Support points. Got me! I read you too much or you trained me well😁

Expand full comment

Cramer (R-NC) should read Cramer (R-ND)

Expand full comment
author

That's a dumb mistake. Thanks.

Expand full comment

I only caught it because i live in NC.

Expand full comment