Legislative Background on Filibuster Reform
Recent Action by Congress on Rules for Confirming Presidential Nominees
Former Senator Trent Lott (MS-R) is usually credited for coining the term “nuclear option” — the tactic of changing the Senate rules by a majority, instead of a two-thirds, vote. In 2003, the senator suggested employing the strategy as a way for the Republicans to ensure votes on President George W. Bush’s judicial nominees, whom they claimed were being blocked by Democrats. While the Republicans did take what many consider to be an extreme parliamentary move, the debate on the nuclear option has continued. January 2013 Rules Changes. On January 24, 2013, in its first votes of the 113th Congress,…
