Changes

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 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.

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. This option was used in 1975 to reduce the vote required to close debate from two-thirds to three-fifths. In November 2013, Senate leader Harry Reid used to the nuclear option to revise the Senate's rules and allow presidential nominees to be confirmed by majority vote.

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. This option was used in 1975 to reduce the vote required to close debate from two-thirds to three-fifths.

==Current rules==

==Current rules==