Senate Cuts Its Own Power

The Senate took the rare step of curbing its own power Wednesday, voting to no longer require Senate confirmation for 169 high-level federal jobs filled through presidential appointments. Most of those jobs are second-tier Cabinet positions such as assistant secretaries and deputy directors that typically don't inspire partisan wrangling. The Senate hopes this will curb the number of nominees that often hang in limbo for months because their confirmations get drawn into other fights. The bill passed 79-20.