U.S. CAPITOL building, the seat of Congress, in Washington, D.C. (Wikipedia photo).

A vote on Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch is planned for Friday morning now that the Republican Senate majority voted to invoke the “nuclear option” and allow filibusters to be ended by a simple majority.

Until Thursday’s vote, a filibuster to block a nominee to the highest court could only be broken by 60 votes. Gorsuch, nominated by President Donald Trump, will almost certainly be approved by the Senate on Friday, restoring the court’s 5-4 conservative majority.

The Senate voted 52-48 – along party lines – to support Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s suggestion that the rule be changed from 60 to 51.

Both Democrats and Republicans said the change would likely work against bi-partisan governing.

U.S. MISSILES RAIN DOWN ON SYRIA

In a response to the use of banned nerve gas in Syria against civilians, the United States on Thursday launched as many as 60 missiles against facility from which the chemical attack is believed to have originated.

The cruise missile assault was ordered by President Donald Trump in an effort to deter future use of the gas and “to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria.” Two U.S. destroyers launched the missiles against an air base in central Syria, targeting airstrips, hangars, control tower and ammunitions areas.