Senate leaders reach agreement on filibusters, appointments

WASHINGTON (AP)

The Senate stood ready Thursday to reject an effort to restrict filibusters, those familiar blockades that sew gridlock and discord.

Instead, the Senate's leaders announced a gentleman's agreement for minority Republicans to block fewer bills and nominations in exchange for a guarantee of more chances to amend legislation. The agreement described by Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican leader Mitch McConnell was part of a package of measures aimed at making the Senate a more workable and less contentious place.

It also included support of a resolution, to be voted on later in the day, to end the practice of one senator being able to secretly block votes and a rules change that would slash by a third the number of presidential appointments that need Senate approval.