Senate Filibuster Votes Changes Politics as Usual

By: Stephanie De La Cruz 11-25-13

Courtersy: Creative Commons

It is a bold move to break down partisan politics.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid led a Senate vote to weaken the power of the filibuster.

Republicans have used the filibuster to block President Barack Obama’s nominees for a variety of Federal posts. Senate Democrats pushed through a vote changing the Senate rules in hopes it will make it those approvals easier. It reduces Senate approval votes on executive or judicial nominees that are challenged by unanimous Republican opposition.

“The American people believe Congress is broken. The American people believe the Senate is broken. And I believe they are right,” Reid said.

The rule will not change the 60-vote filibuster threshold for Supreme Court nominees.