Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell on Saturday joined a Democratic offensive against Republicans threats to ban Senate filibusters of judicial nominees.
“All Americans should be concerned about the effort by Republican leaders in the Senate to unilaterally change the rules,” Mitchell said in delivering the Democrats’ weekly radio address.

“They call it their ‘nuclear option.’ It’s an apt name because it will destroy any hope of bipartisanship and permanently change the Senate for the worse,” said Mitchell, who served as majority leader from 1989 to 1995.

Democrats have helped confirm 204 of President Bush’s judicial candidates, but blocked 10 others with procedural hurdles known as filibusters.

Republicans argue all nominees deserve a Senate confirmation vote, and have threatened to change the rules to ban filibusters.

Democrats contend such a move would undermine a needed check on presidential power by the Senate minority.

Mitchell said: “Our system of checks and balances is in place for a very good reason. It works. It protects all Americans.”

“During the six years that I served as Senate majority leader, Republicans often used filibusters to achieve their objectives,” Mitchell said. “I didn’t always agree with the results, but I accepted them and we were able to work together on many important issues.”

Republicans hold 55 of the 100 Senate seats. Yet it is unclear if they can muster the 51 votes needed to change the rules. Several moderate Republicans have voiced concerns.
Reuters