The vote is expected on Friday
+ READ ARTICLEDebate is continuing on the Senate floor over Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to be an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court.
Senator Jeff Merkely is delivering a speech that has several hours, in an attempt to draw attention to the debate and the nomination. The speech is not a filibuster, according to the Associated Press.
More than 40 Democrats have said they will vote against the nomination, leaving it vulnerable to a filibuster, which has increased the likelihood of the GOP and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell triggering the “nuclear option.” The phrase refers to changing Senate rules to confirm Gorsuch with a majority of 51 votes, instead of the current 60 needed to break a filibuster.
The vote on Gorsuch’s fate is expected on Friday. Watch the debate live, above.