From 2001 until 2008: Republicans use reconciliation to pass controversial legislation. Democrats use the filibuster and threats of a filibuster to further their agenda. Both sides accuse each other of abusing quirks in the Senate’s rules to subvert democracy.

From 2009 until until today: Democrats threaten to use reconciliation to pass controversial legislation. Republicans threaten to filibuster to further their agenda. Both sides accuse each other of abusing quirks in the Senate’s rules to subvert democracy.