Democrats in Washington are doing everything they can to stop the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. But Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has made it clear Gorsuch will be confirmed whether they like it or not — and Democrats are furious.
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McConnell isn’t phased at the Democrats threat of a filibuster, because he knows he has the “nuclear option” in his back pocket. In fact, McConnell says he’s eager to use it as payback for eight years of Democratic overreach under former President Barack Obama.
Republicans have enough votes to change Senate rules, making the requirement for confirmation votes a simple majority of 51 instead of 60.
In the final hours leading up to the confirmation, liberal lawmakers have pulled out every last political weapon they have in their arsenal to stop Gorsuch’s nomination.
Senator Jeff Merkley filibustered for 15 straight hours overnight Tuesday, arguing that Gorsuch is not right to fill the vacant seat.
Following his excruciatingly long whine, McConnell took the floor, criticizing Democrats for their universal disdain for Trump policies and opinions, based solely on the source.
“Democrats would filibuster Ruth Bader Ginsberg if President Donald Trump nominated her. There is simply no principled reason to oppose this exceptional, exceptional Supreme Court nominee.”
McConnell issued a “cloture” motion Tuesday evening, ending debate and swinging into motion a final vote, expected Friday.
Should the filibuster and nuclear option take place, there will be four total votes: the initial cloture vote, the vote on the rule change, the cloture vote under the new rule, and the final confirmation vote on Gorsuch, according to FiveThirtyEight.
The first three votes would be expected Thursday, with the final vote on Friday.
— The Horn editorial team