SCOTUS filibuster vaporized as Mitch McConnell holds firm on cloture rule change Wow. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) actually did the right thing for a change. He led the way as Senate Republicans invoked the so-called nuclear option today, voting 52 to 48 on a party-line vote to eliminate the filibuster for nominations to the Supreme Court. Going forward, high court nominees including President Trump’s current pick Neil Gorsuch, will need a simple majority to be confirmed.