Updated at 6:58 p.m. ET  The U.S. Senate has agreed to change its rules and eliminate secret "holds," a tactic that has allowed lawmakers to anonymously block legislation and appointments.  A resolution to change the practice passed on a 92-4 vote.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed to have an up or down vote on eliminating holds and changing other rules that govern the way senators operate, in a compromise bid to end delay tactics that have contributed to gridlock in the Senate.  "We are making these changes in the name of compromise," Reid said in a statement. "Senator McConnell and I both believe that our reverence for this institution must always be more important than party."  Democrats, who had their Senate majority narrowed by Republicans in the 2010 midterm elections, wanted to change rules on filibusters and other tactics that have locked up the Senate for years.  Filibusters -- or at least the threat of them -- launched by the GOP minority in the last session bottled up such issues as the DREAM Act and repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that blocked gay people from serving openly in the military.  In the past, senators have placed a "hold" on presidential nominees and on legislation -- controversial or not -- in order to make a political point.  Last year, for example, GOP Sens. Jim DeMint and Tom Coburn placed a secret hold on a bill to sell land near the Smithsonian Institution for creation of a National Women's History Museum. Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., once put a hold on all Obama nominees. He retired this year.  Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat who was a leader in the fight to kill secret holds, said the vote Thursday was an important step to changing the way Washington works.  "No longer will senators be able to hold up legislation anonymously. From now on, they're going to have to own it," she said.  Under the agreement on other rules, Republicans said they won't filibuster as many bills and Democrats agreed to give the minority more opportunity offer amendments.  Democrats have a 53-47 edge in the Senate.  See photos of: Harry Reid  To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor  . For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to  . Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to
Senate ends secret 'holds'  - On Politics: Covering the US Congress, Governors, and the 2012 Election - USATODAY.com