Under current Senate rules, it takes 60 votes to cut off a debate and force a vote on a motion. Therefore 41 senators can block a nomination.
Judicial appointees in the United States are confirmed by the Senate. After the president nominates a candidate for a judicial position, the Senate Judiciary Committee conducts hearings to evaluate the nominee's qualifications and background. Following the hearings, the committee votes to recommend the nominee to the full Senate, which then votes on the confirmation. A simple majority is required for confirmation.
With 61 votes
The judicial nomination process involves the President of the United States selecting candidates for federal judgeships, including those for the Supreme Court. The nominees are then reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which conducts hearings to evaluate their qualifications and judicial philosophies. Following the hearings, the committee votes to recommend or oppose the nomination, and the full Senate then votes to confirm or reject the nominee. If confirmed, the nominee is appointed to the position by the President.
A filibuster does not have a specific duration; rather, it is a tactic used to prolong debate and delay or block a vote on legislation. In the Senate, a filibuster can effectively require a supermajority of 60 votes to end debate and proceed to a vote, regardless of how long the debate continues. Typically, senators may engage in extended speech or procedural maneuvers to maintain the filibuster until a sufficient number of votes can be secured to overcome it.
The Senate votes to confirm or reject the Presidents' US Supreme Court nominees. If the Senate votes a simple majority, or 51% of the Senators voting (which may not include the full Senate), the nominee receives a commission; if a member of the Senate decides to filibuster to block or delay a nomination, a three-fifths (60) cloture vote is required to end the filibuster. (Senate Rule 22 changed in 1975: Prior to that time, filibusters required a two-thirds super-majority to end)If a candidate fails to receive a sufficient number of votes, his or her nomination is rejected, and the US President must nominate someone else.For more information, see Related Questions, below.
Not having enough votes to pass it
invokes cloture
A filibuster is a legislative tactic used in the U.S. Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill or nomination by extending debate on it. Senators can engage in a filibuster, often by delivering lengthy speeches or using procedural maneuvers to prevent the Senate from moving forward. It typically requires a supermajority of 60 votes to end a filibuster through a process called cloture. The tactic is often employed by the minority party to express opposition or push for amendments.
This is so the Democrats can avoid a Republican filibuster. It takes 60 votes to stop the filibuster.Definition of filibuster: a legislator who gives long speeches in an effort to delay or obstruct legislation that he (or she) opposesFor rules on filibuster and cloture go to http://uspolitics.about.com/od/usgovernment/a/filibuster.htm
A filibuster is broken when 60 senators vote to invoke cloture. This is why Democrats were so interested in seating 60 senators in this election--it is very difficult to persuade a senator of the opposing party to vote for cloture. A 60-seat majority is called a "filibuster-proof" majority because they can invoke cloture without asking any minority members for their votes.
A filibuster is an effective way to block a vote on any proposed legislation. It takes 60 votes to reach "cloture" - which means debate on a a particular bill is over and it's ready for a full vote on the Senate floor. Failure to reach cloture on a bill means it has been filibustered so negotiations with opposing Senators must take place to reach the magic number of 60 votes for cloture.
A filibuster is an effective way to block a vote on any proposed legislation. It takes 60 votes to reach "cloture" - which means debate on a a particular bill is over and it's ready for a full vote on the Senate floor. Failure to reach cloture on a bill means it has been filibustered so negotiations with opposing Senators must take place to reach the magic number of 60 votes for cloture.