Exceptions to the Rule

Special rules enable the Senate to act despite the filibuster. Sometimes. Most people believe that, in today's partisan environment, the filibuster prevents the Senate from acting on all but the least controversial matters. But this is not exactly correct. In fact, the Senate since the 1970s has created a series of special rulesdescribed by Molly Reynolds as majoritarian exceptions”that limit debate on a wide range of measures on the Senate floor. The details of these exemptions might sound arca