[jackbill]

When Hatch appeared on C-SPAN earlier this week he sounded fairly certain that they would use the nuclear option. The only question seemed to be when. He mentioned that the RATS said that if they used it "they would blow up the Senate", so Hatch was fairly certain that it wouldn't be used until after all of the major legislation was passed later this year.

By that time, there will be more filibusters on more nominees. With a growing list, perhaps some of those Republicans who currently oppose it will finally get fed up and join the majority.

By the way, the last time that the nuclear option was "used" (1975?) the mere threat of using it was enough to make the opposition back down.

[Ben Hecks]

I'm trying to remember where I heard the discussion of a process that would allow the House to confirm judicial appointments by a simple majority vote in cases where the Senate fails to act. The Senate has pretty much failed to act for the past ten years.