Republican leaders say the Senate cannot debate the SAVE America Act because they lack the votes to invoke cloture, but cloture is not the only way to overcome obstruction. The Senate’s history shows that when senators believe Rule XXII prevents them from acting, they can either force opponents to hold the floor or try to change the rule.

The Senate’s growing reliance on cloture does not prove that major legislation cannot pass without 60 votes. It shows instead leaders’ reliance on cloture to manage debate, block unwanted amendments, and avoid difficult votes.

Has the Senate always relied on cloture to overcome obstruction and pass legislation? The historical record says no.

Senators who understand how to draft policy changes as terms and conditions on federal spending or revenue and frame them that way can overcome the Byrd Rule’s most subjective tests.

Passing the SAVE America Act in a reconciliation bill will take longer and is more complicated than forcing its opponents to mount a talking filibuster.

A detailed guide to how Senate majorities can avoid unlimited amendments in a talking filibuster.

A step-by-step guide to how a determined majority can overcome minority obstruction without abolishing the filibuster.

This post highlights how the House can make it easier for the Senate to pass legislation.