PHILADELPHIA — The Senate’s No. 3 Republican told reporters at a GOP retreat Wednesday the Senate will fill the Supreme Court vacancy even if Democrats threaten to mount a filibuster, and suggested the GOP may be ready to invoke another “nuclear option” if needed.
“We hope there are Democrats who are available to work with us and work constructively,” Senate Republican Conference Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., said, adding that there will likely be “additional opportunities” for both parties to consult with President Trump on the nominee. “We will fill that seat.”
A bipartisan group of top Senate lawmakers met with Trump at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the nomination process. Trump is expected to announce a nominee next week, and is said to have narrowed the list to two or three conservative picks.
Democrats are threatening to filibuster any pick who is “outside the mainstream,” and some have said they will not support ultra-conservative choices.
Current Senate rules require 60 votes to confirm a Supreme Court nominee, which means Republicans would need the approval of eight Democrats, assuming all Republicans are on board. Because the GOP ignored President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee for most of last year, most Democrats are likely to oppose any Trump nominee.
Republicans could also change Senate rules so that only 51 votes are required. The move would follow in the footsteps of Democrats, who in 2013 lowered the threshold to 51 votes for all executive branch and lower court nominees.
Republicans are gathering in Philadelphia for three days. President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and British Prime Minister Theresa May will address the GOP on Thursday.
Thune and House Republican Conference Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., were peppered with questions about the latest Trump tweets, including his statements questioning the popular vote and the need to investigate voter fraud that he believes supplied Hillary Clinton with extra votes.
Thune said the Senate “will cooperate” if Trump decides to pursue an investigation but that he has seen “no evidence” of significant voter fraud.
Thune suggested the GOP isn’t interested in rehashing the election.
“We had a decisive winner in our constitutional system,” Thune said. “We are ready to go to work.”
