Final answer:
When the Democrats controlled the Senate in 2013, they attempted to decrease Republican obstruction by altering rules concerning the use of the filibuster for nominees to the lower court.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Democrats attempted to decrease Republican obstruction in the Senate in 2013 by altering rules concerning the use of the filibuster for nominees to the lower court. The filibuster is a parliamentary procedure in the Senate where debate over a proposed piece of legislation is extended and delayed, allowing one or more members to delay or prevent a vote on the proposal. By altering the rules related to the filibuster, the Democrats aimed to make it easier for their nominees to be confirmed.