Jackson Free Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The threat by majority Democrats to change Senate rules to make confirmation easier for some nominees could open up two cans of worms that could weaken the chamber's minority party for years to come.

Exasperated by what he considers excessive Republican efforts to block some of President Barack Obama's appointments, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is threatening to use his muscle to change the rules so only simple majority votes are needed to approve top-level federal agency jobs.

Currently, opponents can thwart those appointments with filibusters. Since those delaying tactics take three-fifths majorities to end, Reid currently needs the votes of 60 of all 100 senators to push those nominations through his chamber — a high hurdle since Reid generally controls only 54 votes, including two usually loyal independents.

If Reid prevails, that could encourage Republicans to broaden the exception whenever they recapture the Senate, experts say, perhaps also eliminating the 60-vote margin needed to end filibusters on legislation. Republicans have pointedly said would make it easier to establish a nuclear waste depository at Nevada's Yucca Mountain, which Reid has thwarted for years.

Several experts said the change would be the biggest since 1975, when the Senate reduced the threshold needed to end filibusters from 67 votes to 60.

Another issue is Democrats saying they will change the rule by a simple majority vote.

Currently, opponents of a rules change can start a filibuster that special rules say can be ended by a two-thirds majority of voting senators — 67 if all 100 lawmakers vote.

Yet over the years, the Senate has used simple majority votes to overrule its own presiding officer and change how its rules are applied.

Combined, the two moves would make the Senate similar to the House, where the majority rules and the minority party enjoys little leverage.