Sanders to oppose Gorsuch’s nomination

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on Thursday that he will oppose Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination, joining a wing of progressive senators opposed to President Trump’s pick for the Supreme Court.

“After careful consideration of Judge Gorsuch’s record, I have concluded that I will not vote to confirm him to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court,” Sanders, a member of Senate Democratic leadership, said in a statement.

Democrats wanted Gorsuch to at least hint at his views on specific cases and issues during his three days testifying before the Judiciary Committee, but Sanders argued that Trump’s nominee “refused to answer legitimate questions.”

{mosads}Sanders joins several Democrats who are going on the record against Gorsuch’s nomination. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) both announced earlier Thursday that they are opposed.

Republicans are expected to need 60 votes to clear Gorsuch through the Senate, which would require the support of at least eight Democrats and Independents.

But GOP leadership also hasn’t ruled out the “nuclear option,” a procedural move that would lower the 60-vote hurdle to a simple majority.

Sanders added on Thursday that he wouldn’t support changing Senate rules, though Republicans could be able to do that without Democratic support.

“I will not support Republican efforts to change the rules to choke off debate and ram the nomination through the Senate,” he said.

Progressive senators are widely expected to oppose Gorsuch, with Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) already announcing their opposition.