Harry Reid Threatens Nuclear Option Unless GOP Confirms Seven Appointees

Mainwashed.com

[News Max] Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Republicans can avoid a change in Senate filibuster rules only if they confirm seven presidential appointees they’ve been blocking.

Speaking to the liberal-leaning Center for American Progress, Reid said Monday that a partial deal to confirm fewer than those seven will not suffice.

He again threatened to change Senate rules to allow simple-majority votes for presidential nominees other than judges, calling such a move, “a minor change, no big deal.” He added that it would be the easiest way to avoid such infighting.

Senate Republicans and at least one Democrat, Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, strongly disagree. Senators from both parties were scheduled to meet Monday night in the Old Senate Chamber, in a last ditch-effort to avoid the change.

Reid is driving his chamber toward rule changes that would help President Barack Obama win confirmation for some of his nominees for posts overseeing workers’ and consumers’ rights. But the changes might strip future senators of their prized ability to delay action.

Reid planned to continue his push to let nominees win approval with a simple majority of senators’ backing instead of the 60-vote threshold that has stalled many nominations. All 100 senators have been invited to a closed-to-the-public meeting Monday evening to seek a compromise on how to approach those nominated to serve in senior positions in Obama’s administration.

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