Sen. Jeff Merkley said Thursday he cannot envision voting to confirm Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, arguing he is too far to the right.
“He is way outside the judicial mainstream,” the Oregon Democrat said on CNN’s “New Day.”
Mr. Merkley pointed to a Washington Post analysis that showed President Trump’s nominee is “further right than any existing member of the court.”
Mr. Merkley said he is still upset that Senate Republicans refused to hold hearings — or an up or down vote — on Merrick Garland, President Obama’s pick to fill the seat left open by the death of Antonin Scalia.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected early next week to advance Mr. Gorsuch’s nomination to the full Senate for a vote.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, New York Democrat, has vowed to filibuster Mr. Gorsuch, which would require the nominee to receive 60 votes to win confirmation.
Senate Republicans, who hold the majority, are mulling a pursuit of the so-called “nuclear option,” a rules change that would require only a simple majority to win confirmation.
Senate Democrats in 2013 changed the rules of the Senate to overcome the GOP’s opposition to President Obama’s executive branch and lower court nominees, but said the change did not apply to Supreme Court nominees.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, said this week that Mr. Gorsuch will win confirmation.
Mr. Merkley, meanwhile, warned Thursday that Republicans would “destroy the integrity of the Senate” if they resort to the nuclear option.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.