Senate 'Goes Nuclear' - What It Means for Trump's Court Pick

WASHINGTON – The Senate pulled the trigger on the "nuclear option" Thursday, fracturing the Democrat's filibuster of Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch.

The Senate vote not only applies to Gorsuch but future court picks. It removes a 60-vote filibuster requirement to confirm Supreme Court nominees.

Republicans made this move after the Senate voted 55 to 45 to approve Gorsuch. While 55 votes for Gorsuch was a clear majority, it wasn't enough to end the Democratic obstruction.

"They are getting a lot of pressure from Planned Parenthood to do this suicide mission filibuster," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the American Center for Law & Justice.

The filibuster vote was a delaying tactic by Democrats. They are angry over the Republican blockade last year of President Barack Obama's nominee for the same seat, Merrick Garland.

The Senate is expected to confirm appellate court Judge Gorsuch on Friday.

"The fact of the matter is that tomorrow evening, Judge Gorsuch will put his hand on the Bible and be sworn in as the justice of the Supreme Court of the United States," said Sekulow.