Trump: Senate must approve Gorsuch to ‘preserve our democratic institutions’

President Trump on Friday touted Judge Neil Gorsuch in advance of votes next week on the president’s Supreme Court nominee.

“Judge Gorsuch is incredibly qualified. He has a sterling record. He was confirmed unanimously to the [10 U.S. Circuit] Court of Appeals,” Trump said in his weekly address.

“But Judge Gorsuch’s nomination is about more than his incredible qualifications. It’s about preserving our republic.”

Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.) on Thursday became the first Democrats to say they will back Gorsuch. Another 37 Democrats have come out in opposition to Trump’s nominee, according to The Hill’s Whip List. The remaining nine Democrats are undecided or unclear.

{mosads}Democrats can filibuster Gorsuch’s nomination if 41 senators vote against ending debate on his nomination. Republicans have warned they will go “nuclear” and change the Senate’s rules to force through the Gorsuch confirmation if Democrats block a nominee they say is fully qualified for the court.

The nomination is expected to face a Senate committee vote Monday and a final confirmation vote in early April.

“The Senate will soon have the chance to help preserve our democratic institutions for our children — by voting to confirm Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court,” Trump said.

During several press briefings this week, White House press secretary Sean Spicer decried Democratic efforts to block Gorsuch from being confirmed.

Democrats point to the GOP’s treatment last year of Merrick Garland, President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee.

Obama nominated Garland shortly after Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, but Republicans refused to give him hearings or a vote, insisting Scalia’s seat wouldn’t be filled until the next president took office.