This vote was on a 'Motion to Proceed' to H.J.Res. 88. By agreeing to this motion, the Senate has decided to bring the resolution to the floor for formal consideration and potential further votes. This is a necessary step before the chamber can discuss the merits of the proposal. A Motion to Proceed is a standard procedural tool in the Senate. Before a bill or resolution can be debated or amended, the Senate must first agree to 'take it up.' In most cases, this requires a simple majority vote to move the legislative process forward from the planning stage to active debate. The motion passed with a narrow bipartisan majority, though both political parties were internally divided on the matter. Now that the Senate has agreed to proceed, the resolution will be the active business on the floor, and senators will begin debating its contents.