The Senate made quick work of a slate of veto overrides and proposed constitutional amendments Thursday.

Senate leader Phil Berger noted the time of each override vote to brush aside the objections of Gov. Roy Cooper, documenting a five-minute span during which three bills — each overridden by the House Tuesday — became law:

• HB 198, DOT Legislative Changes — 1:51 p.m.
• HB 237, Various Criminal and Election Law Changes — 1:53 p.m.
• HB 834, Juvenile Justice Modifications — 1:56 p.m.

Such efficiency was possible only because Senate Democrats declined to debate. Democratic leader Dan Blue, D-Wake, said the measures had been discussed in caucus and there was no indication of any changes of position. “We knew we wanted to sustain the governor’s veto,” he said. “No need to persuade if you’ve already been persuaded.”

Sen. Blue said the same logic applied to the proposed constitutional amendments approved after the override votes. Democrats, he said, have made their arguments over and over, especially on voter identification. “We don’t talk just to hear ourselves talk.”

The Senate approved House Bill 1074, which will put before voters in November the question of whether the state’s constitution should be changed to say that only a citizen of the United States can vote. Democrats have said the measure is intended to make people believe noncitizens can vote currently, which is not the case. 

Sen. Buck Newton, R-Wilson, said the citizens of the state should be allowed to weigh in on the question, and he encouraged his colleagues “on the other side of the aisle” to support the measure. 

“I don’t want anybody to lecture me on what I should do as an individual across the aisle,” Sen. Paul A. Lowe Jr, D-Forsyth, replied. “I want you to be clear on that, that I said it.”

HB 1074 was approved by a 40-4 vote. 

The Senate also approved constitutional amendments to require all voters, not just those voting in person, to present photo identification, as well as to reduce the maximum allowed tax rate on incomes in the state from 7% to 5%. Those measures would require House approval to make the ballot in November.

The House was in session at 4 p.m. while the Senate was in recess until 4:30 p.m. Both chambers have said they hope to wrap up and go home today. Neither chamber has taken up the adjournment resolution filed last night.