AP: ” A federal appeals court heard arguments Wednesday in a case that considers whether President Barack Obama violated the Constitution earlier this year when he bypassed the Senate to fill vacancies in his administration.”

TPM reports.

Pete Williams: “A federal appeals court on Wednesday takes up the issue of a president’s power to make appointments when the Senate is out of town, one that has divided Congress and the White House for decades.”

Roll Call: “Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., blamed Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., for holding up on amendments to the defense authorization bill, crippling the ability of senators to offer amendments in advance of a Monday evening test vote.”

Ari Melber has written this oped for Reuters.

A new NYT Room for Debate, including the thoughts of the incomparable Barbara Sinclair.

NPR reports.

NYT: Some Democratic Senators are balking.

Plum Line: “So here’s what is likely to happen, according to a senior Senate Democratic leadership aide. Dems will likely pass reforms that include ending the filibuster on the motion to proceed and on on motions to move to… Continue reading

Must-read front page New York Times article on the coming fight over the filibuster.