I was reading information regarding ways to end a filibuster and came across some information on wikipedia link. Is there any other way other than getting 60 votes in the senate to end a filibuster? And the answer is YES!! It is a parlimentary move that would effectively end the filibuster once and for all. I'm sure ending the filibuster has losts of pros and cons. I can't think of all the consequences of doing this...it's late. But I definitely think it's worth thinking about. They call this move "The Nuclear Option". The Nuclear Option only needs a majority vote.
The Nuclear Option is used in response to a filibuster or other dilatory tactic. A senator makes a point of order calling for an immediate vote on the measure before the body, outlining what circumstances allow for this. The presiding officer of the Senate, usually the vice president of the United States or the president pro tempore, makes a parliamentary ruling upholding the senator's point of order. The Constitution is cited at this point, since otherwise the presiding officer is bound by precedent. A supporter of the filibuster may challenge the ruling by asking, "Is the decision of the Chair to stand as the judgment of the Senate?" This is referred to as "appealing from the Chair." An opponent of the filibuster will then move to table the appeal. As tabling is non-debatable, a vote is held immediately. A simple majority decides the issue. If the appeal is successfully tabled, then the presiding officer's ruling that the filibuster is unconstitutional is thereby upheld. Thus a simple majority is able to cut off debate, and the Senate moves to a vote on the substantive issue under consideration. The effect of the nuclear option is not limited to the single question under consideration, as it would be in a cloture vote. Rather, the nuclear option effects a change in the operational rules of the Senate, so that the filibuster or dilatory tactic would thereafter be barred by the new precedent.
emphasis mine
In 2005, Senate Majority Leader Frist proposed using the nuclear option due to some of the holds put on to George Bush's judicial appointments. However, this was averted due to a gang of 7 Dems/7 Rep coming together and promising that they would not vote for a filibuster or vote for cloture of a filibuster. This effectively ended the threat of ending the filibuster once and for all.
We are living in what are think are extrodinary times and we need to take extrodinary measures. Maybe it is time to get rid of the filibuster once and for all. Thoughts???