Bruce Ackerman wants an end to filibusters on executive branch nominees: The way the Senate deals with executive branch nominees is a scandal. If a single senator issues a "hold" on a nominee, the filibuster rules require 60 senators, and lengthy floor debate, to overcome his or her objection. Senators regularly use holds as bargaining chips to force administration cave-ins to their special-interest demands. For example, Sen. Richard Shelby held up 70 Obama nominations to obtain special funding for a couple of home-state projects. Senatorial obstructionism has had a devastating impact. Between 1979 and 2003, Senate-confirmed positions were vacant 25% of the time. As presidential nominees slowly gain confirmation, other positions open up, continually undermining the team effort needed for effective operation of cabinet departments. What's more, as Ackerman notes, the status quo has led to a flood of recess appointments, which -- over time -- will erode the Senate's ability to advise...