Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., speaks at the center for American Progress Action Fund in Washington on Monday. Reid spoke about ending the current gridlock in the Senate that according to him is harming the nation’s ability to address key challenges.WASHINGTON – A showdown looming, Republicans and Democrats groped for a compromise behind closed doors Monday over confirming stalled White House appointees in a dispute that threatened what little bipartisan cooperation remains in the Senate.
Nearly all 100 senators attended the rare closed-door meeting in the Capitol’s Old Senate Chamber, just down the hall from where they normally debate the issues of the day with the public and news media in attendance.
After two hours, Sen. Pat Roberts emerged and said the talks were continuing and had been productive. “I think the mood there is ‘How can we get out of this?'” said the Kansas Republican. He offered no details.
Majority Leader Harry Reid insisted in advance that Republicans permit yes-or-no confirmation votes on all seven of the nominees at issue. If they won’t, he declared, Democrats will change the Senate’s rules to strip them of their ability to delay.
There was no formal response from Republicans, although Reid and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell met privately during the day. Officials said several possible compromises had been floated in various meetings and conversations.