NUCLEAR OPTION TRIGGERED: Dems Make Historic Change To Filibuster Rules  —  After years of threats and warnings, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and his Democratic majority on Thursday executed the “nuclear option” to eliminate the filibuster for executive branch and judicial nominees, except for the Supreme Court.

Reid, Democrats trigger ‘nuclear’ option; eliminate most filibusters on nominees  —  The partisan battles that have paralyzed Washington in recent years took a historic turn Thursday, as Senate Democrats eliminated filibusters for most presidential nominations, severely curtailing …

In Landmark Vote, Senate Limits Use of the Filibuster  —  WASHINGTON — The Senate voted on Thursday to eliminate the use of the filibuster against most presidential nominees, a move that will break the Republican blockade of President Obama's picks to cabinet posts and the federal judiciary.

Harry Reid's Nuclear Hypocrisy  —  Harry Reid is set to “go nuclear.”  He wants to end the filibuster as it applies to appellate court nominations — not by a two-thirds vote of the Senate, as Senate rules require, but by a simple majority.  And given the short memories now in evidence, he may just succeed.

NUCLEAR: REID, DEMOCRATS DESTROY FILIBUSTER, 52-48  —  The Senate voted Thursday, 52-48, to end the filibuster rule for all executive and judicial appointments except for Supreme Court nominees, which would still need a 60-vote supermajority to end debate and move to a majority vote on confirmation.

McCain: Dems Will Pay ‘Heavy, Heavy Price’ For Changing Filibuster  —  Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said that Democrats would “pay a heavy, heavy price” for changing the Senate rules for judicial and executive nominees.  —  “They're governed by the newer members... who have never been in a minority …