Dems Now Have Enough Votes to Filibuster Gorsuch

Democrats now have enough votes to pull off a filibuster and block the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, Fox News is reporting.

Support for the filibuster increases the likelihood of Republicans deploying the "nuclear option" and changing Senate precedent to push Gorsuch's confirmation through, the news network said.

Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California, Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Mark Warner of Virginia are the latest Democrats to voice their opposition to Gorsuch. But it was not until Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware came out in favor of the filibuster that Democrats locked up the votes they needed to try to block Gorsuch's confirmation, the Chicago Tribune reported.

But Republicans, the majority party, are still able to get around a filibuster by changing Senate rules and using the "nuclear option" to lower the threshold needed to end debate and confirm his nomination, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post noted Republicans have promised to confirm Gorsuch by Friday, just before a two-week recess is scheduled to begin.

The break would give Gorsuch an opportunity to join the Supreme Court in late April and participate in the final cases of this year's term, which ends in June, according to the newspaper.

And The Post warned the final round of debate on Gorsuch could be bitter.

"And although the Republican-controlled Senate is likely to confirm him, that will happen only if the chamber's rules are changed," the paper said.

• Bennet Becomes Fourth Dem to Oppose Gorsuch Filibuster
• Mitch McConnell: Nuclear Option on Gorsuch Up to Dems