<P> The nuclear option is a parliamentary procedure that allows the United States Senate to override a rule or precedent by a simple majority of 51 votes , instead of by a supermajority of 60 votes . The option is invoked by the presiding officer of the body ruling that the validity of a Senate rule or precedent is a constitutional question . The issue is immediately put to the full Senate , which decides by majority vote . The procedure thus allows the Senate to decide any issue by majority vote , regardless of existing procedural rules , such as current Senate rules specifying that ending a filibuster requires the consent of 60 senators ( out of 100 ) for legislation , and 67 for amending a Senate rule . The term `` nuclear option '' is an analogy to nuclear weapons being the most extreme option in warfare . </P>
<P> The nuclear option is a parliamentary procedure that allows the United States Senate to override a rule or precedent by a simple majority of 51 votes , instead of by a supermajority of 60 votes . The option is invoked by the presiding officer of the body ruling that the validity of a Senate rule or precedent is a constitutional question . The issue is immediately put to the full Senate , which decides by majority vote . The procedure thus allows the Senate to decide any issue by majority vote , regardless of existing procedural rules , such as current Senate rules specifying that ending a filibuster requires the consent of 60 senators ( out of 100 ) for legislation , and 67 for amending a Senate rule . The term `` nuclear option '' is an analogy to nuclear weapons being the most extreme option in warfare . </P>
votes required to pass a bill in the house
votes required to pass a bill in the house
60
60