By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) – Senate Republicans on Thursday successfully carried out the “nuclear option” to get President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court pick, Neil Gorsuch, to receive an up or down vote.
Senate Democrats earlier Thursday gathered enough votes to filibuster Gorsuch in a 55-45 procedural block.
The move triggered Republicans to impose a historic rules change to get Gorsuch to America’s highest court. He needed 60 votes to advance to a final vote under the former rules.
The so-called “nuclear option” eliminates the 60-vote cloture threshold, and paves the way for a straight simple-majority vote on any and all future Supreme Court nominees.
The elimination of the 60-vote threshold will likely prompt more ideologically-driven nominees from presidents, which could adversely affect the top court.
“I find myself torn between protecting the traditions and practices of the Senate, and the importance of having a full complement of Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court,” Sen. John McCain said in a statement. He added that he would ultimately vote to undo Senate rules.
The showdown over Gorsuch comes amid a more-than-one-year shortage on America’s top court prompted by Republican refusal to hear any Barack Obama nominee following the February 2016 death of former Justice Antonin Scalia.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell adamantly denied a hearing for moderate chief judge Merrick Garland, an Obama nominee, and his refusal has continued to resonate with Democrats.
“We Dems have given Judge Gorsuch a fair process – something Merrick Garland was denied. worse than a filibuster,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Twitter.
Republicans sought to hold out for nearly a year in the hopes that a member of their party would win last November’s presidential polls. Their recalcitrance angered Democrats, setting the stage for the vote on the removal of the 60-vote threshold.
A confirmation vote on Gorsuch is expected Friday.
