WASHINGTON (AP) - A showdown loomed over President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Tuesday as the number of Democrats opposing Judge Neil Gorsuch grew to more than 25. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged Gorsuch would be confirmed next week regardless of the Democratic opposition.
Sen. Dick Durbin, of Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, was joined Tuesday by more than half-a-dozen other senators who announced their intention to vote against Gorsuch. Republicans, who hold the majority in the Senate, are intent on getting Trump's choice confirmed before Congress' two-week break in mid-April.
"Judge Gorsuch's hearing reinforced my fear that he would favor corporations and special interest elites at the expense of American workers and families," Durbin, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said of the four-day confirmation hearing last week. He announced his opposition on the Senate floor.
"Whether it is ruling against children who want an equal opportunity to get a quality education or women who want access to health care, Judge Gorsuch often fails to take into account the human face behind each case," said Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., one of the other senators announcing opposition Tuesday.
Republicans defended Gorsuch, with Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, calling him an "incredibly well-qualified judge" and urging Democrats to allow an up-or-down vote.
McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters, one way or another, Gorsuch would be confirmed April 7. "We're going to get Judge Gorsuch confirmed," he said.