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December 11, 2013

Senate Confirms Housing, Judicial Picks After Filibuster Curbs 
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The Senate has begun confirming long-stalled presidential nominees after
rolling back the use of the filibuster. On Tuesday, Democrats approved
Rep. Melvin Watt to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Patricia
Ann Millett to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit. Historic changes approved by Democrats last month
lower the threshold for ending filibusters of presidential nominees from
60 votes to 51 votes. That means a minority vote can no longer block a
majority’s support for a nomination. In retaliation, Republicans used
Senate rules to make Tuesday's votes as drawn-out as possible.

 

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