The outcome was not in doubt, but my colleagues kept talking.

When the clerk calls the roll, our votes light up on a big electronic board. Any member can rise for up to two minutes to explain his or her vote.

If eyeballing of the green (yes) and red (no) lights indicates a close vote, members will stall for time and speak, allowing for some last-minute persuasion. (That can be rhetorical or face-to-face.)

When you know that the vote is going to be close, you assign people to stand up and explain their position to allow for your reluctant votes to be reminded of their commitment.

That was not the case today. The gang bill passed, 111-28. But a few people did get their sound bites in the newspaper.