Bloomberg View: Two Cheers for a Rare Senate Compromise

The U.S. Senate has averted the fearsome specter that stalked the chamber for weeks: majority rule. Much as small-D democrats may not like it, there is reason to be glad the capital-D Democrats and their Republican colleagues found a way out of the procedural paper bag that so often renders their beloved institution impotent.

A bipartisan deal paved the way for votes on long-delayed executive appointments, beginning with Richard Cordray, President Obama’s nominee to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. After two years of Republican obstruction and an attempt by Obama to circumvent opposition through a recess appointment, senators voted 71-29 to allow debate on Cordray to proceed. He was confirmed by a vote of 66-34 later in the day.