Exceptions to the rule

"Many believe that in today's partisan environment, the filibuster affects Senate action on all but the least controversial matters. But this is not entirely correct. In fact, the Senate since the 1970s has created a series of special rules--described by Molly Reynolds as "majoritarian exceptions"--That limit debate on a wide range of measures on the Senate floor. The details of these procedures might sound arcane and technical, but in practice they enable the Senate to act even when it otherwise seems paralyzed. Important examples include procedures used to pass the annual congressional…