On the latest episode of the Niskanen Center’s podcast, Political Research Digest, James Wallner discusses his new book, On Parliamentary War, and the prospects for the filibuster with host Matt Grossmann. The filibuster effectively requires 60 votes to take action on important issues in the Senate. But in recent years both Democratic and Republican majorities have both acted to restrict the practice by using the so-called nuclear option. Wallner provides insights into why Senate majorities resort to the nuclear option. He also finds that Senate minorities can deter the majority from going nuclear by threatening to retaliate in response.
