Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Monday stood firm on his plan to end Republican filibusters of executive branch nominations. Reid said he would forge ahead with his plan to change Senate rules unless Republicans relent in their latest effort to block Senate consideration of President Obama’s Cabinet selections and other senior administration posts. Sen. Bernie Sanders supports Reid’s effort to break through the gridlock. During the six years when Lyndon Johnson was majority leader in the 1950s, he had to overcome a filibuster only one time, Sanders noted. During the time Harry Reid has been the Senate leader, he has had to try to overcome filibusters 420 times. “Enough is enough,” Sanders said.  The rules change proposed by Reid would only apply to Senate confirmation votes on executive branch nominees. Sanders would go further. He would change Senate rules that have let the minority thwart action on legislation.

A new poll released on Monday found overwhelming public support for changing the U.S. Senate rules in order to cut down on gridlock and obstruction.  The Public Policy Polling firm survey was conducted in Vermont and nine other states (Arkansas, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina and Rhode Island). The poll found broad support for Senate rules changes, strong opposition to the way the filibuster is currently deployed and abused, and worry over the continued consequences of Senate obstruction on the judiciary and basic governance.

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