Educate me: Is there no tradition of 'pairing' in the Senate?

[Jackeens]

On the issue of Ted Kennedy's ill health and inability to make it to the Senate to vote - is there no tradition of pairing? ie a 'gentleman's' agreement between two Senators - one Republican, the other Democrat - that one won't vote if the other is unable to turn up and vote for genuine reasons?

It's a common practice in the Irish parliament and - I think? - the British parliament, and perhaps elsewhere. It seems a decent and humane arrangement.

Is this unheard of in American politics?

Thanks.

[Davis_X_Machina]

1. It's frequently used...

...but only on routine business, though.

Paired votes are not counted in the vote total, which is the issue here -- hitting 60. However paired members' positions do appear in the record, so it's possible to see how your senator would have voted.

[Jackeens]

2. Thanks so much Davis_X_Machina, I'm now educated! Thanks again. n/t

[karynnj]

3. they sometimes do it - but the pairs don't count in the official count

Here there is a need to get to 60 votes. They need 60, no matter how many nos there are. I agree with others that there should be someway for there to be exceptions to being there. In the committees, they can vote by proxy when they aren't there.

[dflprincess]

4. It would require that there be some Republican "gentlemen"

(or "ladies") - and that is sadly lacking.

Also, please note that you used the terms "decent and humane". Today's Republicans don't know what those words mean.

[Clio the Leo]

5. "we are not gentlemen, and we have no honor..."

Bonus points to whomever can name what movie that comes from (and NO you cannot Google it!)

Jackeens my dear, you would make a sucky GOP politican. :) You're going about it all wrong. Compassion! Poo! lol