The morning after a rare closed door meeting of almost all Senators, leaders of both parties indicated they had reached an agreement that would preclude the use of the nuclear option to limit filibusters, as the Senate advanced a long-stalled nomination of President Obama.
"I think it is something that is going to be good for the Senate," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
"It is a compromise," Reid added.
Under the emerging deal, Democrats would gain approval of a series of nominations that have been on hold, most notably, that of Richard Cordray, to be the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Republicans would allow Cordray and a series of other nominations to go forward, but the GOP would get some concessions as well - as the White House would have to replace two nominees for the National Labor Relations Board.
Senators took the first step on that agreement by voting 71-29 to shut off debate on the Cordray nomination; he was first nominated in July of 2011.
"After two long years, Rich Cordray finally got his vote," said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) of the former Ohio Attorney General, who will now be officially in charge of the new bureau that deals with consumer financial issues.
Also expected to gain approval soon - the President's choices for Labor Secretary and to head the Environmental Protection Administration.
"I think we get what we want, and they get what they want," Sen. Reid said on the Senate floor.
"Not a bad deal," he added.
