BANGOR, Maine (AP) - Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine says the end of the filibuster over Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch was part of a “profoundly sad day” for the Senate.
Collins says the core principle of a filibuster for a judicial nomination is that it should only be used under “extraordinary circumstances.” She says no such circumstances existed with Gorsuch, whom she described as having “sterling academic and legal credentials.”
Republicans used the so-called “nuclear option” on Thursday to allow President Donald Trump’s nominee to ascend to the high court over objections from Democrats. A final vote is expected on Friday.
Collins, who was involved in negotiations to avert a stalemate, says she believes the Democrats might have moved to obstruct any nominee that Trump attempted to put forward.
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