Party leaders dominate today’s Senate because rank-and-file senators increasingly defer to them - not because the chamber’s rules require it. Senators accepted less influence over legislation in exchange for a more predictable schedule, fewer difficult votes, and less responsibility for making the Senate work.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

Senate leaders use procedure to shape floor outcomes before debate even begins.

Kentuckian tolerates even fewer amendments than his predecessor

The two leaders agree to keep the Senate shut down

McConnell Maintained Control With Blocker Amendment

Senators don’t have to accept higher vote thresholds for their amendments.