Unanimous consent

Unanimous consent is the way the Senate conducts most of its routine business. A senator, usually the majority leader, requests that the Senate proceed in a certain way, and if no senator objects, the request is agreed to without a vote. These requests can set time limits for debate, order the amendments to be considered or schedule votes.

Because the Senate's rules give individual members extensive rights, such as the right to speak at length and offer amendments, it would be hard to pass much legislation without such agreements. A single objection blocks a request, which gives each senator leverage. Leaders negotiate agreements with the minority leader and with members who have concerns, and agreements may be conditioned on the right to offer an amendment.

The system relies on reciprocity and trust. When members object routinely, the Senate must use formal procedures like cloture, which take days. Individual senators use the threat of objection to extract promises or to stall nominees through a senate hold. Supporters call unanimous consent the Senate's lubricant; critics say it lets one member hold up the chamber. In the House, unanimous consent is used more sparingly. The related quorum call is often ended by it.