They invoked the "nuclear option" after Democrats used a tactic known as a filibuster for the first time in half a century to block the nominee.
Denver appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch is now set to be approved on Friday.
The move will leave Congress even more plagued by gridlock. Republican John McCain said: "Bad day for democracy."
At stake is ideological control of the nation's highest court, which has the final say on some of the most controversial US legal issues, from gun control to abortion to election financing to workers' and LGBT rights.
After falling five votes short on Thursday of the 60 needed to confirm Mr Gorsuch, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell retaliated by ordering a vote to rewrite the chamber's rules. It passed by 52-48 along party lines.
- What is a filibuster?
- Why is the US top court so important?
- Who are the current eight justices?
- Neil Gorsuch: Who is Trump's nominee?
The legislative manoeuvre - called the nuclear option because it is so extreme - enables Mr Gorsuch to be approved by a simple majority in the 100-member Senate, where Republicans control 52 seats.
No comments:
Post a Comment