FLASHBACK: In 2013 Harry Reid Supported Republicans Removing the Filibuster for Supreme Court Nominees, Now Democrats Are Calling Foul

In 2013, then-Senate Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) expressed support for the possibility that Senate Republicans might eliminate the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees during a press conference following the Senate Democrats’ vote for eliminating filibusters for most lower court judges.



“Aren’t you worried Republicans will just get rid of the filibuster on the Supreme Court anyway?” one reporter asked Reid in 2013.



“Let’em do it,” Reid said. “Why in the world would we care? … If they want simple majority, fine.”



“I mean all these threats about we’re going to change the rules more, as Senator Schumer said, ‘What is the choice?’ Continue like we are or have Democracy?” Reid added.



Standing right next to Reid during his comments is current Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who is leading the Democratic effort to block Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch for political reasons.



Schumer’s attempt to filibuster Gorsuch’s nomination will almost certainly lead Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to change the rules of the Senate, something that Schumer and fellow Senate Democrats have voiced strong opposition to.



But in 2013, it appears Senate Democrats had no issue with the possibility of Republicans changing the rules to include Supreme Court nominees.