Judge Neil Gorsuch has been confirmed to the United States Supreme Court by the Senate on Friday. His win came after the Senate killed the filibuster for Supreme Court candidates, which gave a clear path for the confirmation. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell implemented the “nuclear option” in order to reduce the amount of votes needed.
“The change sets a new precedent in the Senate that will allow all Supreme Court nominees to more easily win confirmation by eliminating the 60-vote filibuster, and allowing them to advance with just 51 votes,” Washington Examiner reported.
In the event of a tie, Vice President Mike Pence was available to ensure Gorsuch would be confirmed. Clearly, this was not an option that needed to be utilized, but VP Pence’s support was present, along with the rest of the White House.
Fox News adds, “The 54-45 vote is expected to restore a 5-4 conservative tilt on the bench. Once sworn in, Gorsuch will join the court and begin to hear cases, in the seat once held by the late Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016.
“He’s going to make the American people proud,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said.”
