The so-called 'Nuclear Option' has been detonated by Senate Democrats, neutralizing the ability of Republicans to filibuster presidential nominees. The vote removes key leverage from Senate Republicans who have tried to stifle President Obama at every turn. The ability of Republicans to use Senate rules to pander to the Tea Party and troll for right-wing votes has been vastly reduced. Over Two hundred years of political precedent is vanquished and the power of the ruling party has been drastically increased. However, the vote could spell disaster for Democrats if the Republicans ever regain control of the Senate.
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| Senator Harry Reid campaigning for Barack Obama in November of 2008. (Photo: Brian Finifter) |
The partisan battles that have paralyzed Washington in recent years took a historic turn on Thursday, when Senate Democrats eliminated filibusters for most presidential nominations, severely curtailing the political leverage of the Republican minority in the Senate and assuring an escalation of partisan warfare.
The rule change means federal judge nominees and executive-office appointments can be confirmed by a simple majority of senators, rather than the 60-vote super majority that has been required for more than two centuries.
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