Dictionary definition of “nuclear option”

nuclear option

n. especially in politics, an action of last resort; in recent years in the U.S., an extreme method of overcoming a filibuster related to the confirmation of judicial nominees. Subjects: English, Politics

Editorial Note: This term was not coined by U.S. Senator Trent Lott. According to William Safire, the term goes at least back to the Nixon presidency, when he heard it for the first time from Nixon’s Chief of Staff, Bob Haldeman.

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Citations: 1986 Richard Thomson Times (U.K.) (Nov. 12) “Collier case seen as shot across bows of would-be rule breakers”: Morgan Grenfell chose the “nuclear option” and asked Mr Collier to resign. There is, of course, a range of lesser sanctions appropriate to lesser misdemeanours. 1998 Liam Halligan Financial Times (U.K.) (Mar. 10) “MPs propose abolition of ancient Commons rituals” p. 8: One Conservative MP, fresh from helping to “talk out” a bill to outlaw fox-hunting last Friday, said the convention was only one of a number of ways to “filibuster” legislation. “‘I spy’ is the nuclear option,” he said. “But members intent on frustrating a bill can still deliberately table numerous amendments, or shuffle extremely slowly through the voting lobbies.” 2003 Charles Hurt Washington Times (D.C.) (Mar. 28) “Senate panel OKs Owen for judgeship” p. A6: Republicans have hinted ominously to some “nuclear” option for breaking the judicial logjam some time after Easter. 2004 James D. Besser Jewish Week (N.Y.) (Dec. 31) “Judicial Wars Redux”: The nuclear option is Washington parlance for the threat by Senate Republican leaders to change the rules to prevent filibusters on judicial nominations.

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