Sen. Leahy Unlikely to Support Filibuster Over Gorsuch

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is not expected to join any Democratic filibuster against Neil Gorsuch's nomination for the Supreme Court.

"I am not inclined to filibuster, even though I'm not inclined to vote for him," Leahy said told VTDigger.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he would filibuster Gorsuch, requiring 60 votes for him in advance, the Washington Examiner reported.

But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., could rewrite the rules and discontinue the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations.

Leahy insisted his opposition to Gorsuch has nothing to do with the nominee's conservative beliefs.

"I don't have a problem with a conservative judge," said Leahy, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "I've voted for a lot of conservative judges. But when you have somebody who won't answer basic questions on everything from freedom of religion to presidential litmus tests, that's very troublesome."

• Nuclear Option on Gorsuch Increases as Dem Opposition Grows
• Chuck Schumer Opposes Gorsuch, Vows Filibuster