The Hill News

The Senate's top Democrat vowed to push ahead with filibuster reform with or without Republican support.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said it's "very clear" that members of his party want to change Senate rules to weaken the filibuster.

"They believe, as I believe, that the rules have been abused," Reid said at the Capitol after a caucus meeting with Senate Democrats.

"We hope that Republicans see the light of day and would work with us," Reid added. "If not, we'll do it on our own."

Democrats are examining options to change the filibuster, which currently requires a 60-vote majority to bypass in most circumstances. Among the proposals being floated are requiring a senator hold the floor during the filibuster, limiting the instances in which it could be used, or forcing an affirmative vote to establish a filibuster rather than a vote to end one.

Democrats had hoped to vote to change the filibuster Wed! nesday, but without consensus on how to do so, they've delayed action until later January.

Reid's expected to make some sort of proposal later this month in preparation for the first formal day of the new session in the Senate. On this day, Democrats contend, they are able under the Constitution to change the chamber's rules with a simple majority vote.