The White House condemned Senate Democrats’ announcement Thursday that they would filibuster Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court, saying it was used solely on “partisanship.”
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said the filibuster announcement by Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, was “truly disappointing.”
“It breaks with the tradition of how the Senate has handled Supreme Court confirmation votes in modern times and represents the type of partisanship that Americans have grown tired of,” he said at the daily White House press briefing.
He noted that Senate Republicans didn’t filibuster President Obama’s nominations of Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
Mr. Spicer said Mr. Gorsuch’s performance at confirmation hearings this week before the Senate Judiciary Committee proved that he was qualified for the high court.
“He has showcased his sterling credentials and brilliant legal mind,” Mr. Spicer said.
Nevertheless, Mr. Spicer refused to endorse the use of the so-called “nuclear option” to change Senate rules to prevent a filibuster and confirm nominations to the Supreme Court with a simple majority vote, which the Republican majority would easily muster.
He said he would leave it to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, to address any changes to the chamber’s rules.
President Trump previously backed the “nuclear option,” saying he would urge Mr. McConnell to use it to get Mr. Gorsuch on the high court.
“If we end up with that gridlock, I would say if you can, Mitch, go nuclear,” Mr. Trump said shortly after nominating Mr. Gorsuch. “That would be an absolute shame if a man of this quality was caught up in the web.”
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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