The 60-vote requirement for passing a Continuing Resolution (CR) in the U.S. Senate stems from the Senate's cloture rule, which is designed to end debate on a bill and proceed to a vote.
A CR, which temporarily funds the government to prevent a shutdown, is typically subject to this rule like most other legislation.
Under Senate Rule XXII, a cloture motion to end debate requires a three-fifths majority of the Senate, or 60 votes (assuming all 100 senators are present and voting).
This threshold exists to prevent filibusters, where senators could indefinitely delay a vote by holding the floor with extended debate. Without 60 votes to invoke cloture, debate can continue, stalling the CR's passage.
The 60-vote rule encourages bipartisan cooperation, as it often requires support from both parties, especially when one party doesn't hold a supermajority. However, it can also lead to gridlock if agreement is elusive.
Some exceptions, like budget reconciliation, avoid this threshold, but CRs typically don't qualify for such processes.In short, the 60-vote requirement reflects the Senate's emphasis on deliberation and consensus, rooted in its procedural rules to manage debate and filibusters.