Bypassing the filibuster
Reconciliation is one of the only paths for major legislation when one party holds a narrow Senate majority.
In plain English
When budget bills bypass the filibuster.
Reconciliation is the main way a Senate majority passes big tax-and-spending bills without needing 60 votes.
Simple example
The 2017 tax cuts and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act both passed the Senate through reconciliation on near-party-line votes.
Why it matters
What the term actually changes.
Shapes what passes
Because only budget-related provisions qualify, major policy gets drafted to fit the rules — and parts get struck out.
How it works
The mechanics, in practice.
Budget resolution first
Both chambers adopt a budget resolution containing instructions that unlock the reconciliation process.
The Byrd Rule
The Senate parliamentarian strikes provisions that don't primarily affect spending or revenue.
Simple-majority vote
Debate is capped at 20 hours, no filibuster applies, and the bill passes with 51 votes.
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