As the relationship between Senate Republicans and Democrats worsens, President Donald Trump says Republicans should enact the ‘nuclear option.’
Despite Senate Democrats opposition to the Supreme Court nominee, Trump told Republicans to prevent Democrats from filibustering the nominee. President Trump told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell if a gridlock occurs, to “go nuclear.”
“That would be an absolute shame if [a Supreme Court nominee] of this quality was caught up in the web,” Trump said. “It’s up to Mitch, but I would say go for it.”
Proclaiming the nuclear option ends the requirement for 60 votes to break a filibuster. This also allows and ‘up-or-down’ vote for the nominee, only requiring a majority. Senators did not enact this option in the past, as it can permanently change the Supreme Court confirmation process.
Senators will host confirmation hearings for Trump’s nominee, Judge Neil Gorsuch, in approximately six weeks. Trump nominated Gorsuch Tuesday night.
The 49-year-old judge graduated from Columbia, Harvard, and Oxford, and is known for upholding Conservative ideologies. If placed in the Supreme Court, there will be four liberals, four conservatives, and one person considered a swing vote.
Prior to his nomination, Gorsuch sided with corporations that believed Obamacare’s contraceptive mandate infringed on their religions. Alongside conservative values, he voiced his opinion that regulation provides too much deference to administrative agencies.
While Donald Trump refers to Gorsuch’s resume “as good as it gets,” Democratic Senators strongly disagree.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer explained Gorsuch repeatedly sides with corporations over citizens. He also said Gorsuch is hostile toward women’s rights.
“Most troubling, [he is] hewed to an ideological approach to jurisprudence that makes me skeptical that he can be a strong, independent justice on the court,” Schumer said.
Sen. Patrich Leahy considered Trump’s campaign argument. In 2016, President Trump continuously stated he would appoint justices who will overturn 40 years of jurisprudence established in Roe V. Wade.
“Judge Gorsuch has shown a willingness to limit women’s access to healthcare,” he said. “That suggests the President is making good on that promised.”
Many Democrats also disapprove of the nominee because of last year’s refusal to approve Judge Merrick Garland. After Judge Antonin Scalia unexpectedly died, former President Barack Obama nominated Garland to take his place. However, Republican Senators would not meet to discuss the nomination.
