Senator Bill Nelson Announces He Will Filibuster Gorsuch Nomination

Florida Senator Bill Nelson, who is up for reelection in 2018, announced on Monday that he will vote no on Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

“I have real concerns with his thinking on protecting the right to vote and allowing unlimited money in political campaigns,” Nelson said in a statement.

“In addition, the judge has consistently sided with corporations over employees, as in the case of a freezing truck driver who, contrary to common sense, Judge Gorsuch would have allowed to be fired for abandoning his disabled rig during extreme weather conditions.”

“I will vote no on the motion to invoke cloture and, if that succeeds, I will vote no on his confirmation.”

Nelson is considered a moderate or centrist Democrat so the news the Nelson will oppose Gorsuch is a boon for progressives who are attempting to prevent Trump and Republicans from stealing the seat that Merrick Garland was nominated for by Barack Obama.

Nelson joins 19 other Senate Democrats who have announced they will also vote no on Donald Trump’s Supreme Court pick.

Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are insisting on a 60-vote threshold for Neil Gorsuch to be approved.

It is still not clear whether Republicans will have the votes to clear a filibuster.