Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (center), D-Nev., joined by Sen. Jeff Merkley (right), D-Ore., and Sen. Tom Udall (left), D-N.M. speaks to reporters after the Senate stepped back from the brink of a political meltdown, clearing the way for confirmation of one of President Barack Obama's long-stalled nominations Tuesday at the Capitol in Washington. (ASSOCIATED PRESS / J. Scott Applewhite)