CAPITOL HILL -- The Senate is gearing up for an all-night debate ahead of a critical vote on the fate of the judicial filibuster.

Custodians rolled cots into the Strom Thurmond room as the Senate convened for what will be a lengthy session.

A dozen moderates are running out of time in their effort to hammer out a compromise to avoid a vote on triggering the so-called nuclear option -- given that name because of the sweeping impact it will have on how the Senate does its work.

The Senate Republican leadership says the president's judicial nominees shouldn't be filibustered, but deserve an up-or-down vote.

Democrats say the filibuster is the only tool the minority has.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's timetable calls for critical votes on one nominee, Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen, to be cast tomorrow and Wednesday.

Owen's nominated to the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.