WASHINGTON, D.C. — Judge Neil Gorsuch has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Friday’s 54-45 vote included ‘yes’ votes from West Virginia U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito.
“I was proud to cast my vote in support of Judge Neil Gorsuch, our newest Supreme Court justice. Judge Gorsuch’s qualifications are indisputable,” Capito said in a statement released by her office. “After meeting face to face, thoroughly examining his record, and watching his impressive hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, I had no doubt that he would be confirmed, even despite Senate Democrats’ historic attempt to filibuster his nomination. Attempting to block a nominee of this caliber is unprecedented.”
Senator Manchin was one of only three Democrats to vote in favor of Gorsuch. He first announced his support on March 30.
“After considering his record, watching his testimony in front of the Judiciary Committee and meeting with him twice, I will vote to confirm him to be the ninth justice on the Supreme Court,” Manchin said at the time.
The senator was critical Thursday of the decision by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to use the nuclear option, a simple majority vote, to confirm Gorsuch instead of the required 60 votes.
“As I said when I voted against the Democrats’ nuclear option in 2013, I firmly believe that the filibuster is vital to protecting the minority’s views and exactly why the Framers of our Constitution made the Senate the ‘cooling saucer,'” Manchin said in a statement.
Gorsuch will replace Justice Antonin Scalia who died last year.