What is "The nuclear option" ?

I'm a Canadian and I see this expression used very often on DU.Can someone please explain what it is exactly ?

EXPLOSIVE, I tell ya.

Forcing an up or down vote on each and every one of them.

The US Senate has a long standing rule whereby a bill cannot come to a vote if less than 60 of the 100 Senators support what is called "cloture" or the end of the debate. As long as 41 Senators agree to keep the debate going, no vote on the issue at hand can take place.

Therefore, debate can go on indefinitely. When this happens the side pressing the issue usually admits defeat and pulls the item.

What the Rethuglicans want to do is change the rule. They want to end debate on judicial nominees with a simple majority. Since they control 55 seats, that means everything they want gets passed.

That is the "nuclear option". Essentially it nukes the Senate traditional rule. The Democrats say that if the Rethugs do this, they will shut down the Senate for all non-essential business. They can do this by requiring actual votes on all issues coming before the Senate, no matter how trivial. Much Senate business is handled by simple assent. The Democrats say that will end if the Rethugs go nuclear. We will see.

I will go to bed less ignorant tonight.:)