WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., issued the following statement regarding efforts by Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to change Senate rules for presidential nominations:

“The raw abuse of power being displayed by Senate Democrats is reminiscent of their purely partisan efforts to pass Obamacare four years ago. Further, they have tarnished the integrity of the institution by ignoring 225 years of precedent and trampling the rights of the minority party and the millions of Americans we represent.

“The Founding Fathers intended the Senate to be the most deliberative legislative body the world has ever seen. Unfortunately, actions taken today by the majority party have upended the chamber’s tradition of thoughtful and reasoned legislating.”

Background

Senate Democrats today invoked what is commonly known as the “nuclear option.” It allows the Senate to end a filibuster by a simple majority vote when confirming presidential appointments. The previous Senate rule specified that ending a filibuster requires the consent of 60 senators (out of 100) for legislation, 67 for amending a Senate rule.