Senate Eliminates Filibuster for Most Presidential Nominees in 52-48 Vote

The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 52-48 on November 21, 2013, to eliminate the 60-vote filibuster threshold for most presidential nominees, a procedural change known as the nuclear option. Majority Leader Harry Reid triggered the change after Republicans blocked three of President Obama's nominees to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The rule change allowed executive branch nominees and lower federal court judges to be confirmed by a simple majority, though it excluded Supreme Court nominees.