But Republicans said they were less concerned about current nominees than they were about future ones, especially with an anticipated Supreme Court vacancy this summer.

"Don't just focus on the past," Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said. "All judicial and Supreme Court nominees deserve a fair up-or-down vote."

Democrats said they would accept no agreement that restricted future use of the filibuster, leaving the two sides at an impasse.

"It would be a fundamental part of any compromise that the 'nuclear option' be off the table," said Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.)

The filibuster rule change has been described as the "nuclear option" because of the political discord it could spark.

Neither side publicly discussed details of the Democrats' offer. However, a senior Democratic aide, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions, said Reid offered to allow votes on three of seven nominations -- two judges from Michigan and a third judicial nominee of Republicans' choice.

In return, the aide said, Reid asked for a Republican commitment not to change the filibuster rules, along with promises to reinstate judiciary committee procedures that would permit senators to block nominations during the committee vetting process. Reid also asked that a bipartisan task force of retired senators be asked to make proposals on improving the judicial confirmation process.

"I believe my proposal strikes the right balance," Reid said in remarks on the Senate floor. "It protects our democracy and the independence of our federal courts, it protects the American people and lets us do their business, and it breaks a partisan stalemate that is unnecessary and divisive."

Reid denounced Rove's comments as an insistence that the Senate become a rubber stamp for the president by providing a "100% confirmation rate."

"Republican leaders don't want compromise," Reid said. "Republican leaders don't want Democrats to have a voice in this debate. Republican leaders don't want any check on their quest for absolute power. They want total victory."

Some polls have suggested that the American public is wary about the GOP's potential push on federal judges. An ABC/Washington Post survey published Tuesday suggested that two-thirds of Americans opposed Republican plans to change the filibuster rule and 26% supported it.

In response, the Republican National Committee released results of internal polls that it said showed that 81% of Americans believed Democrats should not block confirmation votes for judges even if they didn't agree with them