McConnell vindicated as Supreme Court nominee confirmed

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court was vindication for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who made a risky bet more than a year ago that paid off big time for President Donald Trump and the Republican leader himself.

Democrats and some Republicans predicted dire fallout from McConnell's divisive Senate rules change that removed the 60-vote filibuster barrier for Supreme Court picks, warning of a more polarized Senate and court over time.

[...] next time Democrats control the White House and the Senate, they could be the ones to benefit from the rules change enacted under McConnell, since it will apply to all future Supreme Court nominees, too, eliminating any need for input from the minority party in making confirmations to the high court.

McConnell and other senators also expressed the hope that after the bitter fight over Gorsuch the Senate can get back on a more bipartisan course, something that will be necessary to pass spending bills to keep the lights on in government by an April 28 midnight deadline.

McConnell vowed to preserve the 60-vote filibuster threshold on regular legislation, as opposed to nominations, which will continue to act as a tool forcing bipartisan outcomes and ensuring participation from the minority party.