The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Neil Gorsuch’s Supreme Court nomination to a full vote in the U.S. Senate. Democrats reached the 14 votes necessary to block Gorsuch’s nomination via filibuster, setting the stage for an unprecedented “nuclear” move by Republicans to change Senate rules so that Gorsuch can be confirmed by a simple majority of 51 votes.
Four Democrats announced their opposition to Gorsuch Monday morning, including three on the Senate Judiciary Committee who spent the morning debating his nomination.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Sunday indicated that he will proceed with the co-called “nuclear option” to change Senate rules and avoid a filibuster
“Neil Gorsuch will be confirmed this week. How that happens will really depend on what will happen with our Democratic friends,” said McConnell on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. Republicans currently hold 52 seats in the Senate.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer accused the Democrats of setting “a very dangerous precedent” by stopping Gorsuch’s nomination with a filibuster.
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DNC Chairman Tom Perez said that the situation compels Donald Trump to choose a new nominee:
“Neil Gorsuch ruled against a truck driver who was fired for choosing to save his own life rather than freeze to death, and against an autistic child simply seeking a better education. If confirmed, he would only continue building on his long record of cruel rulings that favor powerful and corporate interests over individuals. It’s plain and simple: Gorsuch has not earned the votes in the Senate to join the Supreme Court. Republicans can’t fix Gorsuch by changing the rules. They need to change the nominee.”
