Prometheus 6

Republican leaders dropped plans to try to force a vote on a rules change proposed by Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) to bar the use of filibusters to block a nominee indefinitely. Asked why the Senate would not try to change the rule, GOP Conference Chairman Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) cited "uncertainty" over votes, noting that some Republicans are reluctant to give up a weapon they might want to use someday against liberal nominees proposed by a Democratic president.