Reid announces intention to break the filibuster today

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Sen. Harry Reid opened Senate business this morning by making an extended case for what has to be an impending vote to break the filibuster on executive and judicial nominations. He laid out the long list of nominees who have been blocked by Republicans, saying that it's "troubling that Republicans will be willing to block all executive branch nominations even when they don't have any objection to the qualifications of the nominees."

Republicans, he said, have "turned advise and consent to deny and obstruct." In the case of Richard Cordray's nomination to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, he said, they have "refused to accept the law of the land." He gave this message to Republicans: "You don't have to like the laws of the land, but you have to respect them and acknowledge them and abide by them."

"For the good of the United States of America," he said, "it's time to change the Senate before this institution becomes obsolete."

Sen. Reid will hold the vote today.

8:09 AM PT: Here we go:

8:28 AM PT: Cloture fails, 57-40 with 3 present. Reid moves to reconsider again.

8:30 AM PT: McConnell moves to adjourn, and the Senate is now voting on that motion.