In considering Judge Gorsuch’s nomination, the Senate should take the long view

This week the US Senate has been considering the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court. Senate Democrats stand in staunch opposition to Gorsuch, meaning that Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell is now considering taking the “nuclear option” so that the nominee can be confirmed with 51 – rather than 60 – votes. Alex Garlick writes that history shows that the Senate’s rules have generally made it a defender of the status quo; changing those rules will make it more akin to the House of Representatives, with the influence of the minority party far reduced.