Grassley supports Gorsuch nomination, calls filibuster threat a smokescreen

The Senate Judiciary Committee concluded its confirmation hearing for Judge Neil Gorsuch this afternoon. After undergoing two days of questioning, the nominee himself was not present at todays proceedings, which featured a variety of witnesses. Unsurprisingly, Gorsuch has secured the vote of at least one senator, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the chairman of the committee, who spoke briefly with the press after adjourning the hearing. Motioning to the witness table, Grassley said he did not understand how anyone could oppose Gorsuchs nomination after the performance of this guy for 22 hours. Grassley further dismissed indications by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that Schumer would support a filibuster, which Amy Howe covered this morning. We arent going to talk about a filibuster, or even worry about it, Grassley continued, calling the threat a smokescreen. He encouraged a return to normalcy, which he described as dispassionate regard to making a decision on people for the Supreme Court. Grassley said earlier this week that he hopes to hold a committee vote on the nomination next Monday.