New Era, More Votes

New Senate Holds More Amendment Roll Call Votes In One Week Than Total Held Last Year; And Even Democrats Are Praising The Change

SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “We’ve actually reached a milestone here that I think's noteworthy for the Senate. We just cast our fifteenth roll call vote on an amendment on this bill, which is more roll call votes on amendments than the entire United States Senate in all of 2014. … This is the way the Senate ought to work.” (Sen. McConnell, Floor Remarks, 1/22/15)

Dems Are ‘Very Excited,’ Praise ‘Healthy Environment On The Floor’

SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): “I welcome what Senator McConnell, our new majority leader, has envisioned as a more active floor in the Senate where we … bring amendments to the floor, debate them, vote on them, and ultimately pass legislation. That is the procedure of the Senate which historically had been honored but fell, sadly, into disrepair over the last several years.” (Sen. Durbin, Congressional Record, S.29, 1/7/15)

DURBIN: “I think that we are in a healthy environment on the floor of the Senate where we are pursuing amendments and active debate, and it is great to see that happening… I commend not only the leadership on the majority side but I commend my colleagues too.” (Sen. Durbin, Floor Remarks, 1/22/15)

SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): “I am very excited about the process, the open amendment process. … This presents an incredibly valuable opportunity to accomplish some of our Democratic priorities...” (Sen. Manchin, Congressional Record, S.162, 1/13/15)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT): “I thank Senator Murkowski and Senator Cantwell for working on a sensible process.” (Sen. Sanders, S.329, 1/21/15)

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Related Issues: Senate Democrats, Restoring the Senate, Energy, Back to Work, Infrastructure, Keystone XL Pipeline

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