Congressional Digest

Excerpt

James Madison said that the role of the Senate is to “consist in its proceeding with more coolness, with more system, and with more wisdom” than the House of Representatives, and to serve as “an anchor against popular fluctuations.”
Although the rules of the House of Representatives limit debate, senators may speak for as long as they wish until 60 of their colleagues, a “supermajority,” vote for cloture — that is, to end debate. Thus, while the majority party in the Senate has the power to decide what measures will be debated, the minority often can determine whether that debate will come to a final vote.
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