Reply #26: Frist voted 'No' so he could move to reconsider ... [View All]

Only the PREVAILING side can make the motion to reconsider.

Senate Rules set a time limit on when the next cloture motion can be made at the soonest. A motion to reconsider, however, wouldn't be subject to that time limit since it's on the original cloture motion. Therefore, such a motion to reconsider (technically) would permit another cloture vote sooner than the Senate Rules would permit.

It's a technical strategy ... and unlikely to make a REAL differnece.

Almost all roll call votes are (in a pro forma fashion) followed by a motion to reconsider and then a motion to table the motion to reconsider, which is 'passed' without objection in order to put some finality on the vote. Without that idiomatic set of motions and tabling, any roll call vote can be reconsidered (reopened for another roll call) if someone on the prevailing side makes such a motion.