FINANCIAL TIMES: US Senate Democrats are preparing to adopt what their opponents call “the nuclear option” to expedite White House appointments in a move that will poison relations with Republicans in a chamber already divided deeply along partisan lines…
Instead of the 60 votes now needed in the 100-member chamber to get any measure through, Mr Reid wants a simple majority of 51 votes to end debates on presidential nominations.
“The power of the extreme minority threatens the integrity of this institution,” said Mr Reid. Republicans, who say few Obama nominees have been held up, say the “nuclear option” could bring the chamber’s work to a near standstill… (more)
