March 28th, 2017 by WCBC Radio
Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen both say they'll vote against Judge Neil Gorsuch's nomination to the Supreme Court.
“I have met with Judge Gorsuch, monitored the hearings, listened to the exchanges of both Democratic and Republican senators with Judge Gorsuch, and reviewed the testimony from outside experts. Combined with what I have found in his public writings, I am greatly troubled by Judge Gorsuch’s record," the Democrat said in a statement. "His extensive legal record is peppered with examples of putting corporate interests before working Americans, showing hostility to agency decisions that protect our environment, disregard for women’s health, marginalizing students with disabilities and many more troubling decisions."
They join a number of Democratic colleagues who could open the door to a showdown over the Senate's rules.
The opposition raises the prospects of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., taking the politically charged step of changing Senate rules to get Gorsuch confirmed. Republicans hold a 52-48 majority, and it takes 60 votes to clear parliamentary hurdles and set up an up-or-down vote on a Supreme Court nominee.
McConnell could push for a rule change to win approval of the nominee with a simple majority in the 100-member Senate.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he would oppose the nominee and lead Democrats in filibustering the choice.
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