A motion to proceed asks whether the Senate should begin formal floor consideration of a measure. It is not a vote on whether to approve the measure itself.

The vote did not begin formal consideration of S.J.Res. 197; the linked bill record lists its latest action as placement on the Senate calendar. For the joint resolution to take effect, both the Senate and House must pass it, and it must go to the President.

The resolution would nullify the CMS rule if enacted. This vote did not start Senate consideration of that proposed disapproval.

• People and organizations affected by the CMS rule on 2027 ACA benefit and payment parameters and the Basic Health Program
  If the resolution completes the legislative process and is enacted, the rule would have no force or effect.

Democrats' majority position was to proceed, while Republicans' majority position was against proceeding. The record labels the vote party-line, though Republican Susan Collins of Maine voted yes.

• R
  Susan CollinsMaine

  Voted YES against party majority— The only Republican member who voted yes while most Republicans voted no.

Motion to proceed

Senate motion to begin formal floor consideration of a bill. Itself filibusterable, so often the first hurdle a bill faces — and often where bills die without ever being debated on their merits.

Cloture

Senate procedure that ends debate on a measure. Requires 60 votes to invoke on most legislation, simple majority on nominations after the 2013/2017 nuclear options. Voting yes on cloture is not the same as voting yes on the underlying bill — many senators do one but not the other.