Senators discuss paring list of positions they vet

Senior senators are negotiating to reduce the 1,400 presidential appointments subject to time-consuming Senate confirmation, hoping to streamline a system that has frustrated administrations of both parties, according to officials familiar with the discussions.

These officials said 100 posts or more could be dropped from the list if discussions between Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN), result in an agreement that gains the support of the rank and file in both parties. Judicial appointments would not be affected, nor would the most senior positions at Cabinet departments or independent agencies. In addition, the two men have discussed curtailing the right enjoyed by individual senators to block action on a nomination or legislation anonymously for up to five days. This rule is widely flouted. The efforts to streamline confirmations - which may be viewed among some as something of a distant consolation prize to what is widely viewed among senior aides as failing efforts at sweeping changes to the Senate's filibuster rules - is among the first order of business when the Senate returns to work Jan 25.