Nuclear fallout: limiting the filibuster has led to more delays

This week is the two-year anniversary of the introduction of the ‘nuclear option’ into the US Senate by the then Majority Leader, Harry Reid. John D. Rackey and Lauren C. Bell reflect on the elimination of the filibuster for federal judicial nominations, writing that divided partisan control of the Senate and White House has made the former less efficient. Since the Republican Party retook the Senate in January, the number of civilian nominees has hit a five-year low, and nominees have had to wait much longer for confirmation. Gridlock in the chamber more generally has also increased.