What is the current balance of power in the Senate?
After the 2006 elections, Democrats gained a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate when Sens. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, both Independents who caucus with the Democrats, are included in the count. Lieberman, who was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2000, became an Independent in 2006 after losing the Democratic primary. He went on to win re-election as an Independent and supports Republican Sen. John McCain for president. If he chose to caucus with the Republicans, it would mean one less seat for the Democrats to count on. What is a filibuster-proof majority? Democrats are trying to reach 60 seats in the Senate, which will give them a filibuster-proof majority. In the Senate, 41 members can block legislation with a filibuster, which creates a legislative roadblock by extending debate on a bill rather than putting it up for a vote. Both parties have employed the tactic over the course of Congressional history. Because the Democrats are expected to
