Senate Republicans voted Thursday to change the chamber’s rules to allow them to speed up the confirmation of lower-level Trump administration nominees, saying the move is necessary to combat a blockade from Democrats.

Despite last-minute talks between Democrats and Republicans to avert the so-called “nuclear” move, the chamber voted 53-45 along party lines to lower the votes needed to move forward with executive resolutions on floor consideration of lower-level nominees in groups. Previously it took 60 votes on a procedural motion, now it will take a simple majority.

The action happened around a measure that would authorize the en bloc consideration in executive session of dozens of those nominees.

For months, Democrats have forced the GOP majority to use valuable floor time on procedu

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