What is the usual vote requirement for "Suspend the Rules"?

The usual vote requirement for "Suspend the Rules" is indeed two-thirds. This requirement is in place to ensure that a significant majority is in agreement before altering established procedures or rules of the meeting. Suspending the rules is often necessary when a member desires to take an action that would normally not be allowed under the current rules, such as discussing a new topic out of order or conducting business that deviates from the agenda.

The rationale behind the two-thirds requirement is to maintain order and fairness in the proceedings. Since suspending the rules can have a substantial impact on the way the meeting is conducted and the rights of members, a larger consensus is needed. This prevents a small group from easily overriding established procedures, ensuring that the decision reflects the wider group’s intent.

In contrast, a majority or simple majority is often sufficient for other motions, but the degree of agreement for suspending rules is intentionally higher to safeguard against hasty decisions that could disrupt the meeting's structure. Unanimous consent, while often sought in some discussions, is not practical for routine motions like suspending the rules, as it would require complete agreement from all participants.