Changes

However, the chair almost always relies on the advice of the Senate Parliamentarian to determine if that objection is legitimate.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/01/obscure-senate-post-center-attention-health-care-debate/ Obscure Senate Post Becomes Center of Attention in Health Care Debate], [[FOXNews]].com, March 01, 2010.</ref>

However, the chair almost always relies on the advice of the Senate Parliamentarian to determine if that objection is legitimate.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/01/obscure-senate-post-center-attention-health-care-debate/ Obscure Senate Post Becomes Center of Attention in Health Care Debate], [[FOXNews]].com, March 01, 2010.</ref>

This determination is made based on six tests created as part of the Byrd Rule used to weed out provisions that have nothing to do with raising or reducing taxes or spending. It takes a 3/5 majority vote to override the decision of the presiding officer if he or she finds that a provision violates one or more of these tests.<ref>[http://budget.house.gov/crs-reports/RL30862.pdf The Budget Reconciliation Process: The Senate’s “Byrd Rule”, Robert Keith, Congressional Research Service, March 20, 2008.</ref>

This determination is made based on six tests created as part of the Byrd Rule used to weed out provisions that have nothing to do with raising or reducing taxes or spending. It takes a 3/5 majority vote to override the decision of the presiding officer if he or she finds that a provision violates one or more of these tests.<ref>[http://budget.house.gov/crs-reports/RL30862.pdf The Budget Reconciliation Process: The Senate’s “Byrd Rule”,] Robert Keith, Congressional Research Service, March 20, 2008.</ref>

Budget reconciliation has been used for 22 bills, of which, 14 were passed by Republican majorities. Nineteen of those bills were signed into law by the President. Three were vetoed.<ref>[http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/articles/2009/0420_budget_mann/0420_budget_mann.pdf nBudget Reconciliation Bills Signed Into Law, 1980-2008.] brookings.edu</ref> All bills were directly related to taxation and spending, and since 1985, have successfully met the Byrd rule tests.  

Budget reconciliation has been used for 22 bills, of which, 14 were passed by Republican majorities. Nineteen of those bills were signed into law by the President. Three were vetoed.<ref>[http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/articles/2009/0420_budget_mann/0420_budget_mann.pdf nBudget Reconciliation Bills Signed Into Law, 1980-2008.] brookings.edu</ref> All bills were directly related to taxation and spending, and since 1985, have successfully met the Byrd rule tests.