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US Senate averts 'nuclear option' for blocked nominees US Senate averts 'nuclear option' for blocked nominees
(35 minutes later)
The US Senate has agreed a deal to approve Obama nominees after Democrats backed away from a threat - which prompted Republican uproar - to force a historic change in the chamber's rules. US Senate Democrats have agreed not to force a historic change in the chamber's rules if Republicans stop blocking some of President Barack Obama's nominees to federal agencies.
Democrats had said they would stop a tactic known as a filibuster, used by both parties over the years to block confirmation of nominees. Democrats had threatened to ban a tactic known as a filibuster, which has been used by both parties over the years to block White House nominees.
Amid negotiations, the Senate has cleared the way for one nominee. The Senate has now cleared the way for the first of the stalled nominees.
It was feared such a rule change would make US politics even more bitter. It was feared such a rule change would make US politics even more acrimonious.
It could also have been used against Democrats if Republicans were to regain a Senate majority in the next election.It could also have been used against Democrats if Republicans were to regain a Senate majority in the next election.
The chamber voted 71-29 on Tuesday to move forward Richard Cordray's confirmation vote to become the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a relatively new agency.The chamber voted 71-29 on Tuesday to move forward Richard Cordray's confirmation vote to become the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a relatively new agency.
Mr Obama first named Mr Cordray for the post in July 2011, but Republicans have been blocking his nomination in order to wring concessions on how the agency is run.Mr Obama first named Mr Cordray for the post in July 2011, but Republicans have been blocking his nomination in order to wring concessions on how the agency is run.
'Not a bad deal''Not a bad deal'
Under current rules, Senate confirmations and other legislation can be blocked by a procedural hurdle known as a filibuster, which can only be stopped with 60 out of 100 votes.Under current rules, Senate confirmations and other legislation can be blocked by a procedural hurdle known as a filibuster, which can only be stopped with 60 out of 100 votes.
In practice, the 46-strong Republican minority voting together can block nearly any measure.In practice, the 46-strong Republican minority voting together can block nearly any measure.
Democrat Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, said senators in his party would seek to impose a ban filibusters through a simple majority of 51 votes, instead of the 67 currently needed to change the chamber's rules. Democrat Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, said senators in his party would seek to ban filibusters through a simple majority of 51 votes, instead of the 67 currently needed to change the chamber's rules.
This was known as the "nuclear option", creating a precedent for any future Senate majority to curtail the rights of the minority group of senators.This was known as the "nuclear option", creating a precedent for any future Senate majority to curtail the rights of the minority group of senators.
But after a three-hour, closed-door session with all but two of the 100 senators, lawmakers from both parties signalled a deal was at hand.But after a three-hour, closed-door session with all but two of the 100 senators, lawmakers from both parties signalled a deal was at hand.
As he left Tuesday's meeting, Republican Senator John McCain told reporters it was "probably the hardest thing I've been involved in", but said the proposal was "an important step forward".As he left Tuesday's meeting, Republican Senator John McCain told reporters it was "probably the hardest thing I've been involved in", but said the proposal was "an important step forward".
Max Baucus, a Democrat, told the Washington Post the gathering had been helpful for overall relations in the Senate.Max Baucus, a Democrat, told the Washington Post the gathering had been helpful for overall relations in the Senate.
The Montana senator said: "There should be many more meetings like that, frankly. We don't talk to each other enough."The Montana senator said: "There should be many more meetings like that, frankly. We don't talk to each other enough."
Under the deal, Mr Obama would name two new nominees for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and Democrats would not use the so-called nuclear option in exchange for speedy consideration for many of the president's blocked nominees. Under the deal, President Obama will also be able to name two new nominees for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
But it would not mean long-term changes to current filibuster rules. "It is a compromise, and I think we get what we want, they get what they want. Not a bad deal," Sen Reid said on the Senate floor.
"It is a compromise, and I think we get what we want, they get what they want. Not a bad deal,'' Sen Reid said on the Senate floor, thanking Sen McCain for his efforts on the breakthrough. Other stalled confirmations now expected to gain a full Senate confirmation vote include Tom Perez, to head the Department of Labor, and Gina McCarthy to run the Environmental Protection Agency.
Mr Obama's current nominees to the NLRB, Richard Griffin and Sharon Block, were also named during a Senate holiday, bypassing a confirmation vote.
But an appeals court had since ruled their appointments were invalid and the US Supreme Court has agreed to review the case.
Other blocked confirmations expected to gain a full vote include Tom Perez to head the Department of Labor and Gina McCarthy to run the Environmental Protection Agency.