Bennet Becomes Fourth Dem to Oppose Gorsuch Filibuster

Sen. Michael Bennet has become the fourth Democrat to oppose his party's planned filibuster against Neil Gorsuch's nomination to the Supreme Court, The Hill reports.

"Neither Republicans nor Democrats are blameless for where things stand in our politics and on this nomination," he said. "But at some point, we need to take the long view and stand up for our institutions.

"Using the filibuster and nuclear option at this moment takes us in the wrong direction. I have spent the past several weeks trying to avoid this outcome. Changing the Senate rules now will only further politicize the Supreme Court and prevent the Senate from blocking more extreme judges in the future.

"I will oppose efforts to filibuster the nomination, and strongly encourage my colleagues not to use the nuclear option."

Democrats Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.) and Joe Donnelly (Ind.) are also expected to join with him.

Politico noted Bennet has been "under siege" in the fight over Gorsuch.

The website said the Colorado senator has had to face pressure to back the Denver-bred Gorsuch, while others have been pushing him to support the filibuster.

Despite his opposition to the filibuster, it now appears Senate Democrats still have enough votes to filibuster Gorsuch's nomination.

Fox News reported the latest round of Democrats announcing their willing to block the nomination gives them "the number needed to prevent the Senate from ending debate and advancing to a final vote."

It noted the opposition to Gorsuch increased the odds that Republicans will deploy the "so-called 'nuclear option' to get him confirmed."

• Mitch McConnell: Nuclear Option on Gorsuch Up to Dems
• Heidi Heitkamp, Joe Manchin Support Gorsuch