The Washington Post editorial board said Senate Democrats should proceed with a vote on Neil Gorsuch and abandon any idea of filibustering the Supreme Court nominee.
Republicans are hoping for a vote on Gorsuch in the coming weeks, but some Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, have threatened to require a vote to end debate on him, which would require 60 votes, and it’s not clear the votes are there.
But the Post said rather than force that procedural vote, the two parties should reach a deal that allows a vote on Gorsuch and saves the filibuster fight for another day.
“[T]he parties could strike a deal that would preserve the filibuster for the minority party in the case of future nominees while providing for an up-or-down vote on Mr. Gorsuch’s confirmation,” said the Post in an op-ed Wednesday night. “That, not deepening the politicization of the judiciary, is the best path forward.”
“We are likely to disagree with Mr. Gorsuch on a variety of major legal questions,” the Post said. “That is different from saying he is unfit to serve. He deserves the deference due any presidential nominee.”
