Judiciary Committee advances Gorsuch nomination in party-line vote

The Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday advanced the nomination of Hon. Neil M. Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court along party lines, with Republicans vowing to have him confirmed by week’s end.  Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R. Utah) said that if they must change the rules to overcome a promised filibuster by Democrats it’s because there is “no alternative.”  Under current rules, Republicans need 60 votes to break a filibuster, which would require eight Democrats to join the Republicans.  Thus far, only four Democrats have announced support for an up and down vote.  Sen. Lindsay Graham (R. S.Car.) said, “This is going to haunt the Senate, it’s going to change the judiciary, and it’s so unnecessary.”