That's just a Senate rule, and can be changed with a majority vote. Harry Reid opened the door already to the "nuclear option", and I fully expect the Republicans to expand on what he did. Funny how things like that come back to bite democrats in the butt.
Funny how Republicans continually drive the the necessity for such actions. The nuclear option was only considered and employed for lower court appointments and only after a record number of vacancies had accrued due to unprecedented obstruction by the Repubs. It was never considered for use with SC nominees. The Repubs, given their disregard for regular order and inability to govern honorably, will no doubt go full douchebag on this.
You do remember, don't you, that before Reid actually implemented the nuclear option, the Republicans considered using it, but didn't? Face it, Reid opened a door that he will probably regret opening. He made it easier to take the next step.