Senate Approves Changes Intended to Ease Gridlock
By CARL HULSE
NYT
WASHINGTON — In an effort to ease persistent Senate gridlock, the leadership on Thursday promised to temper the procedural warfare that has consumed the chamber in recent years and increased partisan tension.
The bipartisan agreement left intact the filibuster, the most powerful weapon that can be used on the Senate floor. But the Senate approved other changes Thursday in rules intended to quicken the pace of action, including new limits on a single lawmaker’s ability to anonymously block legislation and nominations.
At the same time, Senator Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat and majority leader, made a commitment to give Republicans more opportunity to change legislation on the floor in exchange for a commitment from Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, to refrain from filibustering attempts to bring up measures for debate.
“We want the Senate to move deliberately,” Mr. Reid said. “But we want it to move. We have to find a balance that will encourage us to debate and that also enables us to legislate.”
(More here.)
NYT
WASHINGTON — In an effort to ease persistent Senate gridlock, the leadership on Thursday promised to temper the procedural warfare that has consumed the chamber in recent years and increased partisan tension.
The bipartisan agreement left intact the filibuster, the most powerful weapon that can be used on the Senate floor. But the Senate approved other changes Thursday in rules intended to quicken the pace of action, including new limits on a single lawmaker’s ability to anonymously block legislation and nominations.
At the same time, Senator Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat and majority leader, made a commitment to give Republicans more opportunity to change legislation on the floor in exchange for a commitment from Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, to refrain from filibustering attempts to bring up measures for debate.
“We want the Senate to move deliberately,” Mr. Reid said. “But we want it to move. We have to find a balance that will encourage us to debate and that also enables us to legislate.”
(More here.)
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