Are the Reps Finally Going to Stop Playing and Get Down to Business?

Senator Frist may finally be growing into his role as Senator MAJORITY Leader. So far, he has capitulated in far too many ways, acted like a minority leader, and generally failed to show the backbone of a leader who has the majority in the Senate, is supported by a strong President, and has a similar majority in the House.

Let's just hope this strength of character can extend to the Tax Cut issue as well.

Frist to seek rules change to end filibusters on judges -- The Washington Times

Republicans plan to begin the process today of using their so-called "nuclear option" to end the Democratic filibusters of judicial nominees by changing Senate rules governing how many votes are required to break such blockades.

Majority Leader Bill Frist, Tennessee Republican, plans to introduce the rules change today, according to two Senate aides involved in the Republican planning. . . .

Currently, 60 votes are required to break a filibuster, which is also called invoking cloture. The resolution, co-sponsored by several senators, will require 60 votes only in the first attempt at invoking cloture. In each attempt after that, the vote requirement will drop by three until it reaches a simple majority of 51 votes.

This rule change will apply only to executive nominations, not legislative business. . . .

The idea was first floated by Sen. Zell Miller, Georgia Democrat, in an Op-Ed piece in the Wall Street Journal several months ago. Mr. Miller has consistently voted with Republicans to end the filibusters. In 1995, a similar plan was introduced by Democratic Sens. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Tom Harkin of Iowa.