Senate Republicans have been playing games all week, refusing to allow the Senate to move forward with a vote on the sexual assault amendments to the defense authorization bill because that's just what they do. That, along with the accumulated years of built-up obstruction, have made Harry Reid and his Democrats mad enough to just possibly
pull the trigger on the nuclear option today.
Senior Senate Democratic aides have said throughout the week that action was possible before Thanksgiving to set a new Senate precedent ending the need for 60 votes to limit debate on the vast majority of presidential nominations. What’s being floated would leave out only the Supreme Court, likely in a nod to concerns of liberal groups like those advocating for abortion rights.
Democrats have telegraphed the effort, which would involve the “nuclear option,” since it would effectively change the rules with a simple majority of Democratic senators.
One aide said the scenario would involve a ruling from the chair providing for a simple majority to invoke cloture on nominees, potentially preserving existing rules governing debate time after breaking filibusters.
That would mean he's doing it one fell swoop—executive
and judicial nominations, excepting the Supreme Court. It would appear Reid has the 51 votes he needs. If he doesn't, this won't happen today. Huffington Post has been
interviewing Senate Democrats on the issue, and only one—Carl Levin—has said he is opposed to the move. Others who've been opposed in the past—Sens. Max Baucus (D-MT) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) refused to answer.