• kmartburrito@lemmy.world
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    10 days ago

    The Democrats had 60 votes for a cumulative total of about four months (broken into two periods between July 2009 and February 2010). However, even within that window, the supermajority was practically compromised. Senator Ted Kennedy was battling a terminal illness and was frequently absent, and Senator Robert Byrd was often hospitalized, meaning Democrats rarely had all 60 votes present.

    • FiniteBanjo@feddit.online
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      10 days ago

      The Caucus had 60 votes to pass the ACA. The DNC had 58. Two independent senators were needed to pass it.

      The DNC have not had 60 senators since 1979 anf have had 48 or less for over 13 years.

      • kmartburrito@lemmy.world
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        10 days ago

        I never said the DNC had 60. I said Obama had a supermajority for four months.

        You are technically correct about the strict party label, but I never argued that or stated that in my reply. I simply said Obama had a supermajority for four months, even if only technically.

        Sanders and Lieberman formally caucused with the Democrats. In the U.S. Senate, caucusing means you organize with that party to determine leadership, committee assignments, and—most importantly—the voting threshold needed to break a filibuster.

        So I’m technically correct, which is the best kind of correct.

        Where did I ever say the DNC specifically had 60?

        • FiniteBanjo@feddit.online
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          9 days ago

          They demonstrably did not have a supermajority because they could not pass the original ACA during the less than 80 days in session.