Who used the nuclear option first — was it Republicans or Democrats? If you guessed the latter, you’d be correct! For those who are unaware of what the “nuclear option” is, it’s a way by which the Senate can decide to use a simple majority ruling (51 votes) instead of the 60-vote majority that’s required for certain procedures, such as ending filibusters — the practice of needlessly extending debate (and preventing a vote) on any legislative matter at hand.
The clip below shows Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren blasting Republicans for filibustering Obama’s Circuit Court nominees in 2013 allegedly based on partisan politics. But in 2017, guess which party filibustered Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch?
In 2013, Democrats used the “nuclear option” to eliminate the possibility of filibusters for all federal judicial appointments except the Supreme Court. But flash forward to 2017, and the shoe is now on the other foot.
Democrats dragged out the confirmation of Judge Gorsuch, accusing him of being both too pro-business and too allied with President Trump, when neither charge is valid. When both of these accusations couldn’t be proven, Democrats moved to filibuster the judge. Therefore, Republicans were more than justified in their use of the nuclear option to get Gorsuch confirmed.
Watch this flashback to 2013 where Senator Warren tries to stake out the moral high ground regarding judicial appointments, and compare it to her recent approach to Judge Gorsuch!