Senate Republicans to move on rules change as Dems warn against going "nuclear"

Washington — Senate Republicans are expected to move Thursday on changing Senate rules to make it easier to confirm President Trump's nominees amid a blockade from Democrats , who are warning against the move to go "nuclear."

For months, Republicans have criticized Democrats' efforts to slow the confirmation process, which they have taken to new extremes in recent months in protest to the president's policies. And after weeks of discussion among Senate Republicans, Senate Majority Leader John Thune kickstarted the rule change process earlier this week, announcing a proposal to consider non-cabinet executive branch nominees in groups.

"We've got a crisis, and it's time to take steps to restore Senate precedent and codify in Senate rules what once was understood to be standard pra