The Senate voted on S.J.Res. 31, a joint resolution. A joint resolution is a specific type of legislation that, if approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and signed by the President, carries the same legal weight as a regular law. In the Senate, this was a final vote on the resolution. For it to pass, the rules required a simple majority, meaning more senators had to vote 'yes' than 'no.' Members who were absent did not count toward this requirement. The resolution passed with narrow support from members of both parties. Because it was approved by the Senate, the next step is for it to be considered by the House of Representatives or, if it has already passed there, to be sent to the President to be signed into law.