Changes

The '''Senate rules change''', and called the "nuclear option," would eliminate the [[filibuster]] in the [[U.S. Senate]] for confirming nominees to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]].  Senate Majority leader [[Mitch McConnell]] has promised to do this if, as expected, the [[Democrats]] successfully filibuster nominee [[Neil Gorsuch]] in early April 2017.

The '''Senate rules change''', also called the "nuclear option," would eliminate the [[filibuster]] in the [[U.S. Senate]] for confirming nominees to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]].  Senate Majority leader [[Mitch McConnell]] has promised to do this if, as expected, the [[Democrats]] successfully filibuster nominee [[Neil Gorsuch]] in early April 2017.

[[Republicans]] need 50 votes to accomplish the rules change, assuming Vice-President [[Mike Pence]] breaks the tie in favor of changing the rules.  This means the Republicans lose no more than two Republicans on this issue.  Doubtful Republican votes with respect to changing the rules include:

[[Republicans]] need 50 votes to accomplish the rules change, assuming Vice-President [[Mike Pence]] breaks the tie in favor of changing the rules.  This means the Republicans lose no more than two Republicans on this issue.  Doubtful Republican votes with respect to changing the rules include: