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| Senate votes to change rules to curb filibusters | Senate votes to change rules to curb filibusters |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Senate Democrats have passed a motion known as the "nuclear option", which weakens Republicans' ability to block White House nominations. | Senate Democrats have passed a motion known as the "nuclear option", which weakens Republicans' ability to block White House nominations. |
| The measure, passed 52-48, curbs the power of the upper chamber's minority party to use a blocking tactic known as a filibuster. | The measure, passed 52-48, curbs the power of the upper chamber's minority party to use a blocking tactic known as a filibuster. |
| Republicans vowed they would use the new rule against Democrats if they won back the Senate in the next election. | Republicans vowed they would use the new rule against Democrats if they won back the Senate in the next election. |
| Correspondents say the move will make US politics even more acrimonious. | Correspondents say the move will make US politics even more acrimonious. |
| At the White House, President Barack Obama said the vote was necessary to stop "an unprecedented pattern of obstruction in Congress". | |
| Under the rule change, the party in control of the upper chamber of the US Congress now requires just 51 votes, instead of 60, to overcome a filibuster of White House judicial or executive nominations. | Under the rule change, the party in control of the upper chamber of the US Congress now requires just 51 votes, instead of 60, to overcome a filibuster of White House judicial or executive nominations. |
| Democrats currently have 55 seats in the Senate; Republicans 45. | Democrats currently have 55 seats in the Senate; Republicans 45. |
| 'Power grab' | |
| Thursday's motion does not affect Supreme Court nominations or regular legislation. | Thursday's motion does not affect Supreme Court nominations or regular legislation. |
| It is viewed as the most significant rule change since 1975, when the requirement to end any filibuster on the Senate floor was decreased from two-thirds of all senators to the current 60. | It is viewed as the most significant rule change since 1975, when the requirement to end any filibuster on the Senate floor was decreased from two-thirds of all senators to the current 60. |
| "This is a power grab," argued Senator Lamar Alexander. "It's another partisan political manoeuvre to permit the Democratic majority to do whatever it wants to do." | |
| Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his fellow Democrats, who control the chamber, had repeatedly warned they might ram through the motion. | Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his fellow Democrats, who control the chamber, had repeatedly warned they might ram through the motion. |
| In July, Democrats set aside a threat to do so only after Republicans dropped their long-standing objections to several White House nominees. | In July, Democrats set aside a threat to do so only after Republicans dropped their long-standing objections to several White House nominees. |
| Democrats have argued there has been unprecedented Republican obstruction against President Obama's nominees. | |
| Earlier this week, Senate Republicans filibustered the nomination of a judge to a key appeals court, the third such move since October. Democrats could not muster enough votes to overcome the manoeuvre. | Earlier this week, Senate Republicans filibustered the nomination of a judge to a key appeals court, the third such move since October. Democrats could not muster enough votes to overcome the manoeuvre. |
| Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the chamber's top Republican, said the Democrats were "trying to blow up" the filibuster process that they themselves had used during the two terms of President George W Bush. | Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the chamber's top Republican, said the Democrats were "trying to blow up" the filibuster process that they themselves had used during the two terms of President George W Bush. |
| "You may regret this a lot sooner than you think," Mr McConnell said on the Senate floor. | "You may regret this a lot sooner than you think," Mr McConnell said on the Senate floor. |
| But many Democrats say they are tired of Republicans blocking Obama nominees. | But many Democrats say they are tired of Republicans blocking Obama nominees. |
| "They have decided that their base demands a permanent campaign against the president and maximum use of every tool available,'' said Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley. | "They have decided that their base demands a permanent campaign against the president and maximum use of every tool available,'' said Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley. |
| Republican Senator Chuck Grassley told the Washington Post earlier that if the motion passed, his party would retaliate whenever it regained control of the chamber. | Republican Senator Chuck Grassley told the Washington Post earlier that if the motion passed, his party would retaliate whenever it regained control of the chamber. |
| He said they would change the rules again to block any Democratic filibusters of Republican Supreme Court nominees. | He said they would change the rules again to block any Democratic filibusters of Republican Supreme Court nominees. |