(WASHINGTON) – The following is an official statement of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa on the Senate’s approval today of a filibuster rule change that permits nearly all judicial and executive branch nominations to come to a vote based on the backing of a simple majority of senators:

“The Senate’s approval of this rule change will ensure the federal government works better. Any president should have the right to have his or her nominees be considered by the full Senate. A fully staffed government will serve the American people in a more efficient way and will better help this country tackle the problems before it.

“I applaud the work of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on this issue. We can’t allow government to be held hostage by a minority of lawmakers who let politics stand in the way of a better government of, for and by the people.”

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