Sen. Merkley Holds Senate Floor in Gorsuch Filibuster

Liberal Sen. Jeff Merkley is holding the Senate floor in protest of Neil Gorsuch's Supreme Court nomination.

The Oregon Democrat's office said he intended to "hold the floor and refuse to yield for as long as he is able to continue speaking," The Hill reported.

Merkley tweeted Tuesday night the "integrity" of both the Senate and the Supreme Court are at stake.

Integrity of #SCOTUS and Senate is at stake here. If GOP gets away with this theft now, what’s to stop them from doing it again and again?

— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) April 5, 2017

"Here we are in the first day, just hours into debate and the majority leader said, 'Enough. We don't want to hear any more about this topic. We’re going to shut down debate,'" Merkley said on the Senate floor, referring to Sen. Mitch McConnell's decision to file cloture earlier Tuesday.

Merkley started talking just before 7 p.m., according to The Hill.

Senate Republicans are expected to vote Thursday to change the Senate's rules so he can be confirmed by a simple majority.

• Alan Dershowitz: Americans Are 'Victims' in Gorsuch Fight
• Mitch McConnell: Gorsuch Will Be Confirmed