The US Senate confirmed Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court a 54 to 45 vote on April 7. President Donald Trump nominated Gorsuch to the top court in January and the judge was opposed by pro-abortion groups. Three Democrats joined the Republicans in voting to confirm Gorsuch: Joe Donnelly (Indiana), Joe Manchin (West Virginia) and Heidi Heitkamp (North Dakota).
A coalition of left-wing groups led by NARAL Pro-Choice America demanded that Democrats filibuster the nomination to prevent a vote. After Democrat Senate leader Chuck Schumer (New York) threatened to filibuster the nomination, which would have required 60 votes to confirm the nominee. Senate Republicans responded by amending the rules to take away the filibuster option for judicial appointments, permitting approval with a simple majority.
During more than 20 hours of confirmation hearings before the Senate judicial committee, Gorsuch refused to say how he would rule in theoretical cases.
Both Americans United for Life and the National Right to Life Committee applauded the Senate’s approval of Gorsuch to the country’s highest court.
National Right to Life President Carol Tobias said in a statement, “All too often, our efforts to protect unborn children and other vulnerable humans have been overridden by judges who believe they have a right to impose their own policy preferences. Judge Gorsuch appears to believe that judges are constrained to enforce the text and original intent of constitutional provisions,” and not impose his own opinions on decisions.
