We know about the filibuster, the usage of which has spiked dramatically since the Dems took over effective control of the Senate in 2006.
Holds, however, are less well known. Republican Senators are currently using (or abusing) the practice to keep some 217 nominees to various positions within the Administration from getting confirmation votes on the floor of the Senate. (Figures as of 3/29/2010.)
So, yesterday, Senators McCaskill and Whitehouse got annoyed and attempted to move the process forward. They demanded unanimous consent to proceed to floor votes on some 97 nominees. They didn’t expect to get it, but by doing so they started the clock running on a 2007 Senate rule which requires Senators placing anonymous holds on nominees to report their action to the Congressional Record within six legislative days.
I don’t know whether it will result in any votes, but I’ll give the Senators credit for forcing the issue.