WASHINGTON, Afghanistan, March 15 (UPI) -- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid warned Tuesday he would shut down Congress if GOP leaders attempt to block the filibuster of judicial nominees.
The Nevada Democratic sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., saying if Frist tried to change Senate rules to make judicial nominees no longer subject to the filibuster rule, known as the "nuclear option," he would block every piece of non-critical legislation the GOP put forward, excluding items such as appropriations bills.
Reid called the proposal an "unprecedented abuse of power."
"The power to confirm judges includes the right to use well-established Senate rules to reject nominees," wrote Reid.
The letter comes as Republican and Democratic leaders face off on the issue of several of Bush's nominees that have been blocked by Senate Democrats.
For his part, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, vowed Tuesday that business would continue in the House in the face of a Senate shutdown, comparing the possible situation with the obstruction seen from Senate Democrats in the past.
"We'll do what we can, when we can, and the Democrats will be held accountable for their obstruction," said DeLay.
