The Senate did not always rely on cloture, closed-door negotiations, and powerful party leaders to pass legislation. Committees developed bills, senators debated and amended them on the floor, and majority leaders managed the process without controlling it.

Senators accept the closed cloture process because it makes their work predictable, convenient, and insulated from responsibility - even as it prevents them from debating legislation, offering amendments, and advancing their priorities. The Senate’s dysfunction therefore results not simply from its rules, but from rank-and-file senators choosing to surrender their power to party leaders.

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

This reform would preserve and strengthen floor debate while preventing senators from using quorum calls routinely to freeze the floor and block the Senate from voting.

The Senate does not need to choose between preserving debate and reaching decisions, and restoring a modified previous question motion would help the chamber do both.

How majority leaders use the amendment tree to close the Senate floor to amendments—and how a simple rule change could reopen the process.

A package of Senate rules reforms would make the chamber more deliberative and productive, beginning with a proposal to limit debate on the motion to proceed so the Senate can actually get to legislation.

A four-part rules reform package would address frustrations in both parties and help the Senate deliberate and legislate more effectively.

Four rules changes that will help senators debate more, amend more, and vote more.

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.

Senate rules provide alternative ways to outlast or outmaneuver a filibuster.

Senate minorities only gain leverage when they are willing to use the tools available to them.

This piece lays out how existing procedures can be used to move the process forward without nuking the rules.

The article explores how Senate rules shape the timing, leverage, and possible resolution of fiscal brinkmanship.

How Senate rules might be used to move a border bill more quickly than many observers expect.

Efforts to change the rules often reflect politics more than procedure.

Targeted reforms can have broader consequences than intended.

A review of the different ways senators use holds to achieve their goals.