The vote, 212 to 206, was possible because 51 Republicans moved by environmental concerns left the party line and voted with the Democrats.
Or would she vote with the Democrats because she was elected as a Democrat?
It cleared that hurdle by a vote of 219 to 208, as two Republicans voted with the Democrats.
In all, eight Republicans voted with the Democrats against the filibuster on soft money.
If he votes with the Democrats, they would have the 51 votes needed to pass their plan to protect worker rights.
"They're a more integrated part of the society now, and they're clearly voting with the Democrats."
Spokesmen for several of them pleaded ignorance about why their bosses had voted with the Democrats.
Republicans have a 55-to-44 majority, though one independent member of the body tends to vote with the Democrats.
He was free to vote as he pleased on policy matters, but more often than not voted with the Democrats.
The independent member voted with the Democrats for a review of the court ruling.