When the next Senate is seated, after the elections of 2006, the Senate must adopt its rules, binding on all Senators for the next session.
After all this filibuster aggravation, I think the Republicans would be supremely foolish if they re-adopt this rule that lets filibusters happen for appointments.
That rule should NEVER be part of the next Congress. It only takes 51 votes to adopt the rules, so they should adopt a rule in this regard that ends this silly charade.
The Senate is considered to be a continuing body. Ergo, the rules carry over from Congress to Congress - unlike the House, which effectively ceases to exist, every two years.