The fight over Trump's Supreme Court pick might go 'nuclear'
Alex Wong/Getty Images
And it could result in the "nuclear" option being implemented.
Many Senate Democrats are still enraged at the nearly year-long blockade put forth by their Republican counterparts, stunting President Barack Obama's nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to fill the seat vacated by the late Justice Antonin Scalia.
And they want retribution, promising to block any selection from Trump.
If Democrats decide to filibuster Trump's choice, the nominee would need 60 votes to pass. Republicans control 52 seats.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, told Politico on Monday that he would filibuster any choice that was not Garland.
"This is a stolen seat," he said. "This is the first time a Senate majority has stolen a seat. We will use every lever in our power to stop this."
And although Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, told reporters on Tuesday he would a Trump nominee "based on the merits," he later opened the door to years of obstruction.
"One of the unfortunate consequences of the Garland obstructionism has been to show that, in fact, the Supreme Court can function with eight members," he said.
Should Democrats decide to go forth with filibustering the selection - which is reportedly either going to be 10th Circuit Judge Neil Gorsuch or 3rd Circuit Judge Thomas Hardiman - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could enact that "nuclear" option, killing the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees.
The Senate rules could be changed by simple majority, eliminating the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees. That option was last invoked by former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to assist in the confirmation of Obama's judicial and executive nominees. But, McConnell has not expressed disdain for applying the "nuclear" option.
Speaking to Politico Friday, McConnell said the "practice was that you didn't do it even though the tool is in the toolbox."
"There are a lot of tools in there," he said. "Until Bush 43, the filibuster tool was always there. But it wasn't done." "Two good examples: There was no filibuster against [Robert] Bork and, of course, the most controversial Supreme Court nomination ever was Clarence Thomas. Democrats were in the majority; he was approved 52-48."
- A couple accidentally shipped their cat in an Amazon return package. It arrived safely 6 days later, hundreds of miles away.
- A centenarian who starts her day with gentle exercise and loves walks shares 5 longevity tips, including staying single
- 2 states where home prices are falling because there are too many houses and not enough buyers
- "To sit and talk in the box...!" Kohli's message to critics as RCB wrecks GT in IPL Match 45
- 7 Nutritious and flavourful tiffin ideas to pack for school
- India's e-commerce market set to skyrocket as the country's digital economy surges to USD 1 Trillion by 2030
- Top 5 places to visit near Rishikesh
- Indian economy remains in bright spot: Ministry of Finance
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market