But with the GOP holding just a 52-seat majority next year, it would take only two defections to end that threat, and some Senate Republicans already have expressed strong reservations about the idea.
On Wednesday, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) may have put a dagger in the scheme.
Asked by The Huffington Post about ending the filibuster, he was blunt.
Are you kidding? he said with some vehemence. Im one of the biggest advocates for the filibuster. Its the only way to protect the minority, and weve been in the minority a lot more than weve been in the majority. Its just a great, great protection for the minority.