So let's see if I have this right…
Before the current Senate first convened for this term, many Democrats and Republicans (but especially Democrats) sat down and proposed a series of rule changes that would make filibusters less likely. They passed some rules and now in one of the first important matters to come up under the new procedure, it looks like we may have our first-ever filibuster of a Secretary of Defense. Or if we don't, it'll only have been avoided by one or two votes. Is that about it?
Boy, I'm glad they changed those rules.