Republicans go ‘nuclear’ to clear way for Gorsuch

Washington, April 6: Republicans took the historic step Thursday of changing US Senate rules to clear the way for confirming Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, bypassing the first-ever successful opposition block of a highcourt nominee.

President Donald Trump’s pick, embraced by conservatives but opposed by most Democrats, failed to receive the 60 votes necessary to end debate and move to a simple majority confirmation vote in the 100-seat Senate.

In response, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell moved to change the rules to ensure that a simple majority suffices to advance Gorsuch -and all subsequent Supreme Court nominees -from the debate to a vote.

The rule change — known as “nuclear option” — was approved in a partyline vote of 52 to 48, in a political earthquake for the Senate and its efforts at bipartisanship.

Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer pointed the finger at Republicans, but said he took “no solace” in blaming his political rivals because the consequences of the change will be so dramatic.

“The nuclear option means the end of a long history of consensus on Supreme Court nominations,” he said describing the Senate’s ability to use the 60-vote threshold as “the guardrail of our

democracy.” “The answer is not to undo the guardrails, the rules. It’s to steer back to the middle, and get a more mainstream candidate.” — AFP