IIRC only a simple majority is required to change the rules of the Senate.
Actually, there are places where a filibuster could be mounted. The Dems are hoping to break that with procedural votes and "rulings" from "the leadership" including the Senate President (Biden) and the majority leader (Reid).
TexasRedeye wrote:
IIRC only a simple majority is required to change the rules of the Senate.
It's not 100% certain that they'll be able to make these changes.
Also, not all of the proposed changes are that horrible. I do think that there have been abuses of the filibuster lately (from 2000 onward, by both parties). It's too easy under current rules. It doesn't require either strong principles or stamina to mount an actual filibuster. It's been reduced to a calendar move. I'm not sure that's for the best.
Making someone(s) actually stand up there and talk would be a positive in my opinion.
Here's an article and some replies from this morning on this topic. It includes (when you click through to the article) an outline of how Udall thinks he can proceed on this.