<sod >Â  With a majority of 52 senators, Mr McConnell can only afford to lose two votes on both the motion to begin formally considering the bill â known as the motion to proceed â as well as on the bill itself.< eod>< sod > âÂ  With a majority of 52 Republicans to 48 Democrats in the Senate, Mr McConnell can only afford to lose two votes on both the motion to begin formally considering the bill â known as the motion to proceed â as well as on the bill itself.< eod>