senators can block, that goes back to the founding fathers. what republicans said if senator reid went through with that and changed the senate rule so that 51 votes would be enough to have the nominees go forward, they would retaliate by using other obstructionist tactics blocking legislation. maybe it's a tax and spendsing dispute coming up, maybe the return of immigration reform, there are other issues before the senate like the student loan, they're trying to figure out a compromise on the student loan interest rates that just went up. wolf, this is a problem, particular dysfunction between the republican leader, mitch mcconnell. you saw john mccain speaking, mitch mcconnell is the republican leader, his relationship with harry reid has deteriorated significantly and that affects the business of the senate. what the republicans say, well, democrats did this too when they were in minority, but there's no question this has escalated in recent months and years especially around this president's nominees for key federal positions. again, they've cut a deal today. they've worked out a compromise. the bigger question is as harry reid said, have they learn today actually talk? will they work this out going forward? or is this just a temporary fix?