In a perfect democracy, at least 50% of people would support every decision.

The U.S. falls short of this goal.

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Spoken For.
Senate vote: Cloture motion // May 16, 2007Needed 60 votes to end debate

Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Warner Amdt. No. 1134

Who won, and how much of the country was behind them

Won the vote · Nay

44 votes, representing 114,606,170 people50.4%of U.S. adults

Lost the vote · Yea

52 votes, representing 102,218,122 people45.0%of U.S. adults

The dotted gap is 4.6% of U.S. adults whose member did not vote, voted “present,” or whose seat was vacant.

Share of U.S. adults represented, the Senate
SideOutcomeVotesShare of U.S. adults
NayWon4450.4%
YeaLost5245.0%
Not represented on this questionNo position taken04.6%

Senate This vote needed 60 yes votes to pass, more than the usual majority. It's called cloture, and it means a side with a majority of votes can still lose.