[Bubba_Leroy]

One way is to amend Senate Rule XXII (the Cloture Rule) to exempt judicial nominees.

What is required to amend SR XXII? I assume that the democRATs could stop an amendment of the rule through a filibuster. Am I correct?

Also, what is required to eliminate the "gentleman's agreement" that allows the democRATs to mount a filibuster simply by saying that they intend to do so? If they want to filubister, they should be forced to hold the floor until they drop.

[Congressman Billybob]

The Senate Rules, including XXII, "remain in effect from Congress to Congress unless amended by two-thirds of the Senators present." Rule XXII requires "three-fifths of the Senators sworn," which is a hard 60 votes.

Amendment of the Rules, however, depends on Senators present. If at least 10 Senators are absent (campaigning in Iowa for Democrat votes, for instance), the two-thirds becomes less than the three-fifths. Does that make sense?

Congressman Billybob