Getty Images Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) A divided Senate voted to ease the confirmation process for most presidential nominees, a step that limits the ability of Republicans to block Obama’s choices for executive-branch and most judicial posts. Here, we explain the so-called nuclear option. (Updated at 1 p.m.) What is the nuclear option? The “nuclear option” refers to a move by the majority party in Senate — in this case the Democrats — to change the Senate rules to allow most executive branch and judicial nominations to be approved with a simple majority More…![]()
