In the last few days, Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation has dominated much of the news coming from the federal government. Here’s what you missed and why it matters.
Senate Democrats have enough votes to filibuster Gorsuch
With the support of Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware, on Monday, Democrats in the Senate appear to have enough votes to filibuster Neil Gorsuch, nominee to the Supreme Court.
Coons would be the 41st vote against Gorsuch, which would prevent the 60-vote majority needed in the Senate to confirm a Supreme Court nominee. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-9 along party lines Monday to send Gorsuch’s confirmation to the Senate floor.
Current Senate rules state Gorsuch can be blocked by the filibuster unless eight non-Republicans vote for his confirmation.
If there is a successful filibuster this week, Republicans are likely to try to change the rules to allow a simple majority vote to confirm Gorsuch in the Senate.
Donnelly supports Gorsuch as Supreme Court pick
Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Indiana, announced Sunday he will support Gorsuch’s nomination. Donnelly is one of the eight non-Republicans needed to nullify the filibuster.
“It is my obligation as Senator to consider the qualifications of each nominee that comes to the Senate floor,” Donnelly said in a press release. “After meeting with Judge Gorsuch, conducting a thorough review of his record, and closely following his hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, I believe that he is a qualified jurist who will base his decisions on his understanding of the law and is well-respected among his peers.”
Many senators compared the planned Democratic filibuster of Gorsuch to the refusal of Republicans to consider former president Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland.
“I was deeply disappointed by the way the most recent Supreme Court nominee, Judge Garland, was treated by the Senate.” Donnelly said in the statement. “But as Senator, I can only vote on the nominee that comes to the Senate floor.”
Ivanka Trump takes White House position
Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, announced last week she will be taking a position in the White House.
She will be serving as an unpaid adviser to her father.
Ivanka had an office in the West Wing of the White House.
She was in the process of gaining security clearance before she was officially named a White House employee.
