It’s deal or no Neil in Senate

Dems to block Gorsuch

Neil Gorsuch has cleared his first hurdle to join the Supreme Court — but now his nomination is headed for a “nuclear” showdown on the Senate floor.

The Senate Judiciary Committee, as expected, confirmed Gorsuch on Monday by an 11-9 vote that broke along party lines.

The vote came as Democrats intent on blocking the Colorado Appellate Court judge (inset) secured enough votes to mount a filibuster when the full Senate takes up his nomination later this week.

Republicans fumed, saying Gorsuch’s credentials, record and experience are beyond reproach.

“This nominee we’re voting on today is a judge’s judge. He’s a picture of the kind of justice we should have on the Supreme Court,” said committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

Still, 41 Democrats — smarting from the GOP-led Senate’s refusal to even hold a hearing on then-President Barack Obama’s choice of Judge Merrick Garland for the post — say they’ll vote “no” on a motion to end debate and bring Gorsuch’s nomination up for a final vote.

Republicans, who control 52 seats, need 60 votes to close the debate under current rules.

They have vowed to use the “nuclear option” — changing the rules to require a 51-vote majority, to secure Gorsuch’s nomination.

GOP senators lamented that their chamber had succumbed to such political divides.

“I wish . . . that we would instead change the behavior of senators rather than change the rules of the Senate, but I think we are where we are,” said Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.).

“This will be the last person that will be subject to a filibuster,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC.). “Senate traditions are going to change over this man.”

A procedural vote on Gorsuch is expected on Thursday, and if he doesn’t get 60 votes to move ahead, Republicans are expected to seek to vote to change Senate rules and confirm him on Friday.