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The Senate is voting now on a resolution that would change the postcloture debate period for judicial nominees and certain senior-level executive nominees from 30 hours to 2 hours. It needs 60 votes to pass
If Republicans don't get 60 votes, McConnell can proceed with the so-called nuclear option — appealing a ruling of the chair on the issue, which only needs a simple majority to pass
This change is similar to a bipartisan agreement in 2013 to temporarily change the postcloture debate period, but that had an end date. Rs say this is necessary because Ds are abusing the rules to delay even noncontroversial nominees. Ds say Rs are totally blowing up norms
One clarification: The rules change would only apply to district court and certain senior-level executive nominees. It would *not* apply to circuit court and SCOTUS nominees
This is the latest chapter in a long, bitter fight over judicial nominations. This all goes back decades, but if we're talking specifically about fights over rules, 2013 is a big jumping off point, when Reid invoked the nuclear option to end filibusters for non-SCOTUS nominees
The Senate voted 51-48 to invoke cloture on the resolution to change the postcloture debate rules for many judicial and executive nominees (I deleted previous tweet that misstated what they were voting on). McConnell made a motion to reconsider that vote
Here's the breakdown of the vote:
To recap: The cloture vote on the resolution to change the postcloture debate rules failed — it needed 60 votes, and got 51. As @nielslesniewski reports, this moves things forward towards McConnell going with the nuclear option, possibly later this week: rollcall.com/news/congress/…
And here's more on Sen. Lee breaking ranks
