Reid: Filibuster Deal Brings 'New Start' to Senate - East Idaho News
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Reid: Filibuster Deal Brings ‘New Start’ to Senate

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Getty 072312 HarryReid?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1374007255110Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call(WASHINGTON) — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday that the compromise reached between Democrats and Republicans over the filibustering of President Obama’s executive nominees created a “new start” for the U.S. Senate.
 
“We have a new start for this body,” Reid told reporters at a news conference Tuesday. “I don’t know how I could be happier.”

Reid said the deal ensures Republicans are “not sacrificing their right to filibuster” and Democrats “damn sure” are not giving up “our right to change the rules if necessary.”

The Senate voted earlier Tuesday to invoke cloture on the nomination of Richard Cordray to be director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, clearing the way for a full vote on his confirmation nearly two years after he was originally nominated. While Democrats are pleased with this move, Reid relayed a piece of advice given to the Democratic caucus by Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., in the wake of the deal.

“Here’s the advice that she gave all of us a few minutes ago, direct quote: ‘Colleagues, no gloating; maximum dignity,’” Reid said.

Part of the agreement requires that President Obama pulls his two nominees for the National Labor Relations Board and submits new names for the Senate to consider, a provision Republicans lauded.

“The White House decided to take the nuclear trigger out of Senator Reid’s hand and withdraw these nominees,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said in a news conference.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction that the majority has chosen not to exercise the nuclear option. We feel good about that. I think they feel good about it. So I think that crisis has been averted,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said. “We still will be dealing with controversial nominees in a way that the controversial nominees inevitably produce, a great debate. And all the options available to the minority remain intact.”

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