Gorsuch heads for confirmation as senate tears up own rules

You're referring to the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court in 2017. Here's a brief summary of the events:

On April 7, 2017, the Senate voted to confirm Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, with a vote of 54-45. Gorsuch was nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the vacancy left by the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

The confirmation process was marked by controversy and partisan divisions. Gorsuch's nomination was blocked by a Democratic filibuster, which requires 60 votes to overcome. However, the Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, decided to change the rules to allow for a simple majority vote to confirm Gorsuch.

This move was seen as a significant departure from the Senate's traditional rules and norms. The "nuclear option" was invoked, allowing the Senate to confirm Gorsuch with a simple majority vote, rather than the usual 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster.

The decision to change the rules was met with widespread criticism from Democrats, who argued that it would undermine the Senate's ability to conduct thorough and bipartisan deliberations. The move was also seen as a significant shift in the Senate's power dynamics, as it gave the majority party more control over the confirmation process.

Gorsuch was sworn in as the 113th Justice of the Supreme Court on April 10, 2017. He has since become a prominent figure on the Court, known for his conservative views and his ability to build consensus with his colleagues.

The controversy surrounding Gorsuch's confirmation highlighted the deep divisions within the Senate and the country, and it set a precedent for future confirmation battles.