In 1975, the Senate revised Rule 22 to reduce the votes required to end a filibuster from 67 to 60. However, filibusters no longer require a Senator to actually take the floor and speak. Mere threat of a filibuster now suffices. Hence, the Senate essentially requires 60 votes to pass any legislation. The Constitution calls for a majority to pass legislation, yet we face a new de facto requirement of a supermajority to pass any bill. Americans are routinely held hostage while critical legislation is upheld by attention-seeking Senators, nowhere near the floor, who, by mere mention that they MIGHT filibuster, can force the need for 60 votes to pass a bill. Use of this procedure has increased exponentially. An embarrassment and an affront to common Americans. Lazy, inefficient, insulting.



