A filibuster can continue until the U.S. Senate approves either cloture or for the "[[nuclear option]]." From 1917 to 1975, cloture required a two-thirds vote of the Senate. The nuclear option can be adopted by a simple majority of those present. This option was first used in 1975 to revise the cloture rule so that a filibuster can be ended by a three-fifths majority (60 votes).<ref>[[Budget Reconciliation bill]]s cannot be filibustered.</ref> The option has been used on only two other occasions, in 2013 and 2017. In both of these votes, the Senate revised the cloture rule in order to limit the use of the filibuster against presidential nominees. | A filibuster can continue until the U.S. Senate approves either cloture or for the "[[nuclear option]]." From 1917 to 1975, cloture required a two-thirds vote of the Senate. The nuclear option can be adopted by a simple majority of those present. This option was first used in 1975 to revise the cloture rule so that a filibuster can be ended by a three-fifths majority (60 votes).<ref>[[Budget Reconciliation bill]]s cannot be filibustered.</ref> The option has been used on only two other occasions, in 2013 and 2017. In both of these votes, the Senate revised the cloture rule in order to limit the use of the filibuster against presidential nominees. |