Manchin ‘very close’ on Gorsuch decision

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) says he is “very, very close” to making a decision on whether he’ll support President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. 

“This is a quality individual,” he said Thursday when asked about Judge Neil Gorsuch on CNN’s “New Day. “I don’t think anyone disputes that. Tremendous education and background, held in high regards. Good man, good man.”

{mosads}Republicans control 52 Senate seats and need eight Democrats or independents to join them to reach the 60-vote threshold for ending a filibuster.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has urged conference members to oppose Gorsuch and rally the 41 votes needed to block the judge’s confirmation. Thirty-two Democrats have announced they will oppose Gorsuch’s confirmation, according to The Hill’s latest Whip List.

Ten Senate Democrats face reelection next year in states Trump won in last year’s presidential election, leaving them with a difficult choice on whether to support Gorsuch. 

Manchin, whose home state of West Virginia overwhelmingly voted for Trump last year, is so far the only Senate Democrat who has offered to help Republicans break a filibuster. He has not indicated how he would vote if Gorsuch’s nomination reaches the Senate floor.

Manchin said Thursday that having a nine-member Supreme Court is essential for breaking gridlock.

“We have a responsibility to have a working judiciary branch of government,” he said. “If you don’t have nine members, you’re in serious problems.”