GORSUCH WATCH: Just One More Senator Needed to Support Filibuster

Will McConnell Reduce the Senate to a Free-for-All?

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed Judge Neil Gorsuch will be confirmed on Friday. The Kentucky Republican is claiming, falsely, Democrats are to blame if he makes the decision to, for the first time in U.S. history, change the Senate rules to force through the confirmation of a Supreme Court nominee. 

To be clear, McConnell does not have to change the rules. He could allow a vote on Gorsuch and be the statesman he is supposed to be. Gorsuch could be confirmed or rejected on the basis of his own merits, not on the basis of changing the rules to ensure a “win.”

EARLIER: Dianne Feinstein Announces Vote Against Gorsuch

As of now, McConnell needs the three remaining Democrats and one remaining independent to vote to end debate on Gorsuch and allow a vote. If any of the four, Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), or Angus King (I-ME), announce they support a filibuster, McConnell will have to decide if he will change the rules and reduce the U.S. Senate, supposedly one of the world’s greatest deliberative bodies, into a majority-rules-free-for-all.

Stay tuned.

This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.

To comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.

Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license