This vote was to approve S.J.Res. 7, a joint resolution. Joint resolutions are a specific form of legislation that, if approved by both the House and Senate and signed by the President, carry the full force of law. They are often used for specific purposes like authorizing the use of military force, addressing emergency matters, or disapproving of government regulations. The Senate decided this matter using a simple majority threshold. In congressional procedure, this means the measure only needs more 'yes' votes than 'no' votes from the members who are present and voting. Senators who are absent or choose not to vote are excluded from the count, meaning they do not lower or raise the number of votes needed for the measure to pass. The resolution passed with a bipartisan coalition, as more than half of those voting in both the Democratic and Republican parties supported the measure. Because it has cleared the Senate, the resolution must now be considered by the House of Representatives. It will only move to the President's desk if the House passes the exact same version.