I have a question re SC vote/filibuster

[Lebam in LA]

If enough democrats vote against Gorsuch and he doesn't get 60 votes, where does the filibuster come in? I thought a filibuster was used to prevent a vote.

I should know this

Thanks everyone. My brain would not process this. I feel really stupid

[Warpy]

1. The filibuster comes in before the vote

60 votes are needed for cloture, to end the filibuster.

[Lebam in LA]

4. Thank you

[tblue37]

2. Filibuster means 60 needed for cloture, and without cloture, there can be no vote.

That is why the Dems could prevent a vote on Gorsuch. However, the Repubs are threatening to ditch the filibister altogether for cloture (i.e., go nuclear), so that only a simple 51-vote majority would be needed to confirm.

[Lebam in LA]

5. Thank you

[unblock]

3. Before the actual vote can happen, there's a "cloture" vote

Cloture ends debate but requires 60 votes. If that fails, they never get to the "real" vote, which only requires simple majority.

[Lebam in LA]

6. Thank you