Changes

In practice 19th century filibusters were successful only at the end of a session, when the clock was ticking.  The Senate thereby refused to vote on the [[Wilmot Proviso]] in 1846.  

In practice 19th century filibusters were successful only at the end of a session, when the clock was ticking.  The Senate thereby refused to vote on the [[Wilmot Proviso]] in 1846.  

Until 1975 it took a two-thirds vote to end debate.  A rules change that year reduced the number to 60. The effect is that almost  all major legislation needs 60 votes to pass the Senate.  The exception comes in "reconciliation" bills that deal with the budget.

 

In 1975 Rule 22 was adopted that reduced the number for cloture to 60 (wjile leaving the two-thirds rule when the Senate rules themselves are at issue.) The effect is that 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.

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

* Kearny, Edward N., and Heineman, Robert A. "The Senate Filibuster: a Constitutional Critique." ''Perspectives on Political Science,'' 1997 Vol. 26, Issue 1, online at [[EBSCO]]

* Kearny, Edward N., and Heineman, Robert A. "The Senate Filibuster: a Constitutional Critique." ''Perspectives on Political Science,'' 1997 Vol. 26, Issue 1, online at [[EBSCO]]