US Senate goes ‘nuclear’ to clear path for President Trump’s Supreme Court pick

MILWAUKEE — Senate Republicans — including Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson — made an historic change to Senate rules Thursday, April 6th — clearing the way for President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee to be confirmed.

This was the so-called “nuclear option.” It allowed Senate Republicans to shut down a Democratic filibuster over Neil Gorsuch. And it left both sides blaming each other for the discord that led up to this point.

The final vote: 55 yeas, 45 nays.

With that, Republicans cut off debate over Supreme Court nominee Gorsuch. U.S. Senate leaders say Gorsuch will be confirmed Friday. To do it, Republicans blew up the ability for the minority part to filibuster, or indefinitely block Supreme Court nominees.

Four years ago, Democrats ended the filibuster for lower court nominees. Before the vote, Governor Scott Walker, who supports Gorsuch, said changing the rules was the right thing to do.

“Regardless of party, I think the 60-vote threshold is stupid. I think it’s dumb for anything whether it’s Republican or Democrat,” said Walker.

The blame game started immediately after Thursday’s vote.

Democrat Tammy Baldwin defended her efforts to block Gorsuch saying, “the people of Wisconsin want an impartial and independent justice. I don’t have confidence Judge Gorsuch would be that justice.”

Republican Ron Johnson fired back: “Unfortunately, most Democratic senators, including Senator Baldwin, attempted to obstruct the will of voters” who put President Donald Trump in office.

“I don’t think that he’s a moderate at all,” said Michael Rosen.

Democrats like Rosen, who represents hundreds of unionized MATC employees, tried this week to make one final push against Gorsuch. They’re still upset with Republicans for blocking President Obama’s nominee Merrick Garland last year.

“When people say it was stolen, I think it was stolen,” said Rosen.

One final vote, the actual confirmation vote itself, is set to take place sometime Friday.