Perhaps due to lack of space, you omitted the lead sentence in the Times article on "Democracy Returns to the Senate" which explained why the Democrats had taken that step:

"For five years, Senate Republicans have refused to allow confirmation votes on dozens of perfectly qualified candidates nominated by President Obama for government positions." 

And this towards the end of the editorial:

"Given the extreme degree of Republican obstruction during the Obama administration, the Democrats had little choice but to change the filibuster rule. ... There is ample precedent for this kind of change, though it should be used judiciously."