WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said today that Senate Democrats, at his invitation, have agreed to meet with Senate Republicans to discuss ways the two sides could come together to prevent fundamental changes to Senate rules that are essential to building consensus. The meeting will occur on Monday evening in the Old Senate Chamber located in the U.S. Capitol.

“I am hopeful this bipartisan meeting will produce a meaningful dialogue and help us to stop talking past each other,” Wicker said. “The right to unlimited debate is an essential tool in making legislation better – a privilege that I believe should be protected. This is a historic moment in the history of the U.S. Senate. I urge my colleagues to work with us to protect the integrity of the institution.”

During an exchange between the Senate Democrat and Republican leaders, Senator Wicker called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to convene a bipartisan meeting in hopes of achieving an agreement before changes are made to Senate procedure.

Background
Majority Leader Reid is threatening to invoke what is commonly known as the “nuclear option.” It would effectively allow the Senate to end a filibuster by majority vote, even though the rules of the Senate specify that ending a filibuster requires the consent of 60 senators (out of 100) for legislation, 67 for amending a Senate rule.