By Bob Katzen

The Senate 6-34, rejected an amendment that would require a unanimous vote for the Senate to continue any session beyond midnight. Current Senate rules require a two-thirds vote to go beyond midnight.

Amendment supporters said sessions after midnight when taxpayers are sleeping, and some members are barely awake, are irresponsible and should only be held if 100 percent of the senators agree there is a major emergency.

Amendment opponents said going beyond midnight currently is only done when there is a dire emergency. They said it is often impossible to get a unanimous vote on anything and argued it is not wise to give a single member the power to adjourn the Senate.

(A “Yes” vote is for requiring a unanimous vote to go beyond midnight. A “No” vote is against requiring it.)

Sen. Patricia Jehlen No

REQUIRE TWO-THIRDS VOTE TO GO BEYOND 10 P.M. (S 10)
Senate 6-34, rejected an amendment that would require a two-thirds vote for the Senate to continue any session beyond 10 p.m. Current rules require a two-thirds vote to continue beyond 8 p.m. and a separate two-thirds vote to continue beyond midnight but do not require any vote at all to continue from 10 p.m. to midnight.

Amendment supporters said this is another useful opportunity for members to control late night sessions and make them as rare as possible.

Amendment opponents said the amendment goes too far and is unnecessary.

(A “Yes” vote is for requiring a two-thirds vote to go beyond 10 p.m. A “No” vote is against requiring it.)