Yes, a short-term funding bill, also known as a continuing resolution (CR), typically needs 60 votes to pass in the Senate to overcome the filibuster. While most legislation requires a simple majority (51 votes), the 60-vote threshold is the standard requirement to end debate and vote on a bill. This requirement means that both parties must agree to pass a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown, as one party alone cannot secure the necessary votes.
- Filibuster: The Senate filibuster requires a vote of 60 senators to end debate on a bill, a process called cloture.
- Bipartisan support: Since a simple majority is rarely enough to overcome the filibuster, short-term funding bills need bipartisan support to pass and keep the government open.
- Budget reconciliation: An exception exists for budget reconciliation bills, which are designed to pass with a simple majority of 51 votes, but this is a specific legislative tool and not applicable to most general spending bills.
