Number: RL34491
Title: Unanimous Consent Agreements Establishing a 60-Vote Threshold for Passage of Legislation in the Senate
Authors: Megan Suzanne Lynch, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: The Senate frequently enters into unanimous consent agreements (sometimes referred to as "UC agreements" or "time agreements") that establish procedures for the consideration of legislation that the Senate is considering or will soon consider. In recent practice, such unanimous consent agreements have sometimes included a provision that would require a 60-vote threshold to be met for amendments or legislation to be considered agreed to, rather than the simple majority ordinarily required. These amendments or measures may be of a controversial nature with the potential for causing a filibuster. By incorporating a 60-vote threshold, such UC agreements avoid the multiple requirements imposed by Senate Rule XXII for invoking cloture, while preserving the same requirement for super-majority support.
Pages: 15
Date: May 19, 2008