Nuclear option (filibuster)

The nuclear option is a phrase used to refer to a proposed change in the U.S. Senate rules to prevent the filibuster of judicial confirmations. Along with the term Constitutional option, it is an American political code word used during 2005 judicial confirmation political fight.

Related Topics:
U.S. Senate - Filibuster - Judicial - American political - Code word - 2005

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Currently, Senate rules allow any member to prevent a confirmation vote of a Presidential appointee by staging a filibuster. The filibuster can be overridden by a three-fifths majority (60 out of 100 senators) vote via a cloture motion. The nuclear option would allow a simple majority (50 out of 100 senators, plus the Vice President) to end a judicial filibuster. Once cloture is achieved, the nominee would be confirmed or rejected by a simple majority vote.

Related Topics:
Filibuster - Cloture - Simple majority - Vice President

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