Are the Democratic filibusters coming to an end? That’s the indication from today’s story in The Hill.

Democrat Senator Ben Nelson is pursuing a deal with Trent Lott that would allow for floor votes on controversial judicial nominees after an allotted time for debate. The proposal would create a permanent Senate rules change.

While The Hill notes Harry Reid would certainly be against the proposal, there may be enough moderate Democrats from red states to push it through.

Nelson and a number of centrist Democrats have also indicated that should Harry Reid attempt a Senate shut down in response, enough Democrats would not go along, thus preventing its effectiveness. As Kent Conrad said, “That’s not going to happen, the Senate can’t be shut down.”

South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson added, “Clearly I don’t want to see complete gridlock in the Senate.”