Former Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, Democrat, had a sleepless night Thursday — because blame for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s potential confirmation is his fault.
If Reid hadn’t changed the rules of the Senate in 2013 to favor Democrats, there would be no hope for Republicans to secure enough votes to confirm Kavanaugh on Saturday.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell famously warned Reid that putting into place the so-called Senate “nuclear option” would come back to hurt Democrats in 2013.
Before the rule change, the Senate would need 60 votes to end a debate and move forward on a vote for a president’s judicial nominee. Reid changed that rule in 2013 to a simple majority to favor the Obama administration — and it quickly backfired.
Republicans used the “nuclear option” this summer to confirm Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.
The Senate ended the debate on Kavanaugh’s confirmation and pushed forward with his confirmation vote Friday using the same rules. Republicans needed only 50 votes, with Vice President Mike Pence representing the tie-breaker. They got 51.
There is no doubt that left Reid laying awake Thursday night full of regret.
After all, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has already begun openly talking about reversing the rule should Democrats regain the majority.
Kavanaugh’s confirmation would secure a conservative majority for the Supreme Court for the first time in decades — one that will last for generations.
A conservative Supreme Court could end state-sponsored abortion. It could upend affirmative action. It may re-institute traditional marriage laws. It could uphold a nationwide voter ID law.
And it’s all thanks to Harry Reid.
— The Horn editorial team