Supreme Court nominee confirmation battle

The U.S. Senate is set for a contentious confirmation process after Democrats vowed to block Donald TrumpÕs nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court

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SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

NomineeÕs credentials and background thoroughly checked during confirmation hearing

Committee votes on whether to approve nominee, then sends recommendation to full Senate

Simple majority of 51 votes required to confirm nominee. Democrats could block nomination using filibuster Ð stalling debate Ð which requires 60 votes

Republicans could change filibuster rules by invoking Ònuclear optionÓ to allow confirmation by simple majority of 51

Democrats 48*

Democrats 9 members

Republicans 11 members

52 Republicans

60 seats

SENATE

S U P R E M E  C O U R T

L I B E R A L  L E A N I N G

C O N S E R V A T I V E  L E A N I N G

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 83

Elena Kagan, 56

Sonia Sotomayor, 62

Stephen Breyer, 78

Anthony Kennedy, 80

Samuel Alito, 66

Clarence Thomas, 68

John Roberts, 61 Chief Justice

*Includes two independents


If Gorsuch confirmed, court will be restored to 5-4 ideological split that existed before death of Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016

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Sources: U.S. Supreme Court, Wire agencies 

Pictures: AP, Getty Images 

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