Out Back Question of the Week

How many votes does it take to invoke Cloture♠ in the US Senate?

The reason this is important is that both Senator Richard Byrd (D-WV) and Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) are having medical problems and may not be able to report to the Senate to vote for Cloture, when the time comes.

I got the answer wrong earlier this week, but my wife corrected me and put me on the path to truth.

This question is important for President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid because of the proposed Health Insurance reform bill before the US Congress.

For extra points, how did this play out in Massachusetts State Politics this week?

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  That would be to vote to stop a filibuster and bring a bill to the floor of the Senate for a vote.