By Seung Min Kim (Politico) –
The final standoff over Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch is officially set for Thursday. And frustrated senators warning about the gradual demise of the institution have given up even trying to avert a “nuclear” showdown.
Two days ahead of the confrontation, 44 Senate Democrats have pledged to filibuster President Donald Trump’s first high court nominee. Meanwhile, Senate Republican leaders confidently said Tuesday that they have the votes to invoke the “nuclear option” to ensure Gorsuch gets confirmed even with Democratic opposition.