Changes

==Current rules==

==Current rules==

In 1970, [[Majority Leader]] [[Mike Mansfield]] (D-Montana) created the "silent filibuster." This procedure allows the Senate to conduct other business while a senator uses Rule 22 to block the progress of a bill.

In 1970, [[Majority Leader]] [[Mike Mansfield]] (D-Montana) created the "silent filibuster." This procedure allows the Senate to conduct other business while a senator uses Rule 22 to block the progress of a bill, and is overwhelmingly the most common filibuster used.

In 1975, the nuclear option, a simple majority vote conducted outside the normal rules of the Senate, was used to amend Rule 22. The number of senators required for cloture was reduced from 67 to 60. The two-thirds rule remained in effect when the Senate rules themselves were at issue.

In 1975, the nuclear option, a simple majority vote conducted outside the normal rules of the Senate, was used to amend Rule 22. The number of senators required for cloture was reduced from 67 to 60. The two-thirds rule remained in effect when the Senate rules themselves were at issue.

As a result of these changes, almost all major legislation needs 60 votes to pass the Senate. One exception comes in "reconciliation" bills that deal with the budget. Another is the use of "fast track" legislation, as with the North American Free Trade Agreement.

As a result of these changes, almost all major legislation needs 60 votes to get to a final vote in order to pass the Senate. One exception comes in "reconciliation" bills that deal with the budget. Another is the use of "fast track" legislation, as with the North American Free Trade Agreement.

In May 2005, Republican leaders proposed what was called the "nuclear option" whereby filibusters would not be allowed on judicial nominations. Democrats threatened to disrupt all proceedings on all issues if that happened. Senator [[John McCain]] led a bipartisan "Gang of 14" which established a compromise that preserved the ability of senators to filibuster judicial nominees, but only in "extraordinary circumstances".

In May 2005, Republican leaders proposed what was called the "nuclear option" whereby filibusters would not be allowed on judicial nominations. Democrats threatened to disrupt all proceedings on all issues if that happened. Senator [[John McCain]] led a bipartisan "Gang of 14" which established a compromise that preserved the ability of senators to filibuster judicial nominees, but only in "extraordinary circumstances".