On the recordJuly 30, 2011
we are here today right now for this reason. It is spelled f-i-l-i-b-u-s-t-e-r--filibuster. There are delaying tactics proceeding right now. They will not allow us to have a vote, an up-or-down vote on our amendment, and this is a filibuster. By any other term, it is a filibuster. That is why we are here. I hope the negotiations go on. We are willing to be as fair as we can, but there has to be something that the President and Vice President Biden and the rest of us think is a step in the right direction. I guess talking is a step in the right direction, but that is about it. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the matter we have before us, which is amendment No. 589--that we have an up-or-down vote on that, as we have all the time, of course. There would be no points of order, as we do it here all the time. Have a vote on it right now. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, these are direct quotes from my friend the majority leader. He says: ``In the Senate it has always been the case you need 60 votes.'' ``Always been the case you need 60 votes.'' This is the majority leader of the Senate. For him to suggest that a matter of this magnitude, in a body that requires 60 votes for almost everything, is going to be done with 51 votes makes no sense at all. I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. The majority leader.
