Changes

Until 1915, the Senate could end a filibuster by majority vote using a motion to suspend the rules. This motion is now rare in the Senate, but it is still a common means of limiting debate in the House of Representatives. In response to a successful filibuster of a bill to arm American merchant ships in 1917, the Senate adopted Rule 22. This rule requires a two-thirds vote to end a filibuster.

Until 1915, the Senate could end a filibuster by majority vote using a motion to suspend the rules. This motion is now rare in the Senate, but it is still a common means of limiting debate in the House of Representatives. In response to a successful filibuster of a bill to arm American merchant ships in 1917, the Senate adopted Rule 22. This rule requires a two-thirds vote to end a filibuster.

Originally, two-thirds of the senators actually present would be required for cloture. This meant that all senators had to remain present in the chambers, in case a cloture vote was called. This led to situations where senators would stay all night in the chambers, sleeping on cots placed in the lobby. This type of filibuster was dramatically depicted in the [[Frank Capra]] film, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939), starring [[James Stewart|Jimmy Stewart]] as the brave lone hero who filibusters an evil bill.

Originally, two-thirds of the senators actually present would be required for cloture. This meant that all senators had to remain present in the chambers, in case a cloture vote was called. This led to situations where senators would stay all night in the chambers, sleeping on cots placed in the lobby. This type of filibuster was depicted in the [[Frank Capra]] film, ''Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'' (1939), starring [[James Stewart|Jimmy Stewart]] as the brave lone hero who filibusters an evil bill.

Acting as president of the Senate, Vice President Richard Nixon ruled in 1957 that the Senate's internal rules could not prevent the body from adopting a measure by majority vote. This became known as the "nuclear," or constitutional, option. Nixon's ruling is based on ''United States v. Ballin'', an 1891 U.S. Supreme Court case that dealt with the House of Representatives. The nuclear option was first used in 1975 to reduce the vote required to close debate from two-thirds to three-fifths.

Acting as president of the Senate, Vice President Richard Nixon ruled in 1957 that the Senate's internal rules could not prevent the body from adopting a measure by majority vote. This became known as the "nuclear," or constitutional, option. Nixon's ruling is based on ''United States v. Ballin'', an 1891 U.S. Supreme Court case that dealt with the House of Representatives. The nuclear option was first used in 1975 to reduce the vote required to close debate from two-thirds to three-fifths.