It’s the principle of the matter

Today the U.S. Senate had its first floor vote since the summer recess on an amendment to “increase funding for certain education and related programs.” Senate rules (for whatever reason) required a three-fifths majority to pass the motion, so it would have failed on the largely party line vote anyway. Still, the vote was 46-48 with six Senators “not voting” including John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, and Bob Graham.

Ted Kennedy was also missing in action so Massachusetts had no representation in the U.S. Senate today.