GOP Retaliation Over Filibuster Rule Change Could Jam Senate In 2014

Senate Republicans still smarting from a Democratic rules change that diminished their power to block President Obama's appointees are vowing retribution against the majority when lawmakers return to work in January.

The GOP in the final weeks of the 2013 session provided a glimpse into what that might mean in 2014. Unable to block most presidential nominees because of the Democratic rule change, Republicans are using their remaining authority to slow the Senate to a crawl, delaying action on routine matters that typically pass uncontested.

Senate Democrats changed the rules to limit Republicans' use of the filibuster to block most presidential nominees for administration jobs and the judiciary. Only Supreme Court nominees are still subject to the filibuster.

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