Search people, articles, bills, and more
The Senate passed S.J.Res. 18 with a narrow 52-48 bipartisan majority. The resolution now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
This vote was to determine whether the Senate would pass S.J.Res. 18, a joint resolution. Joint resolutions are a type of legislative measure that, if passed by both the House and Senate and signed by the President, carry the same legal weight as a standard bill. In the Senate, most legislative measures require a simple majority to pass. This means that as long as more senators vote 'yes' than 'no,' the measure is approved. This specific vote was the final step for this resolution within the Senate chamber. The resolution passed by a small margin, with 52 senators in favor and 48 opposed. Notably, both the Democratic and Republican parties were deeply divided on the issue, with significant numbers of members from both parties voting on each side. The measure now moves to the House of Representatives.
The joint resolution will now be sent to the House of Representatives. If the House passes it in the same form, it will then go to the President for a signature.
Why it matters. The narrow one-vote margin over the required threshold indicates a high level of disagreement and uncertainty regarding the resolution's path forward in the House.
Who’s affected. Legislators: The close, split-party vote suggests that the resolution does not have a clear mandate and may face a difficult path in the next chamber.
Democrats. The Democratic caucus was divided, with 24 members voting in favor and 21 voting against the resolution.
Republicans. The Republican caucus was also split, with 27 members voting 'yes' and 24 voting 'no.'
On the Joint Resolution S.J.Res. 18
Mar 27, 2025
The Senate passed S.J.Res.
18 with a narrow 52-48 bipartisan majority. The resolution now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.