Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch issued the following statement regarding Senate Democrats’ changing of Senate rules for confirming executive and judicial nominees today in the United States Senate:

“Our founding fathers engineered a government where it was not easy to move legislation forward.  These difficulties were designed to ensure differences were recognized and compromises would be necessary. This design makes us stronger, not weaker. Unfortunately, Senator Reid and his colleagues believe the ends justify the means and are willing to sacrifice our constitutional traditions in pursuit of expediency.

“While these changes, which took place today in the United States Senate, apply only to judicial and executive nominations, I believe going forward that Senator Reid will attempt to apply this to all legislative business of the Senate.   Today’s rule changes will have far ranging implications for the United States Senate and our democracy.”

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