Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (I-Vt.) on Sunday said that President Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch, should not win confirmation unless he can muster 60 votes.

“This is a major, major nomination. It should require 60 votes and a very serious debate,” Sanders said on CNN’s “State of the Union," echoing the statements of Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise Pelosi, Schumer 'encouraged' by Trump call for bigger coronavirus relief package Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (D-N.Y.) and other Democratic colleagues.

“Obama’s nominations required 60 votes. So should Trump’s,” Sanders added.

“What this Supreme Court decision is about is whether or not we continue Citizens United and allow billionaires to buy elections. It’s whether or not we continue Roe v. Wade and allow a woman to control her own body,” he argued.

The Senate confirmed President Obama’s two nominees to the court, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, with 68 votes and 63 votes, respectively, but Republicans did not filibuster either nominee and procedural votes to end dilatory debate were not needed.

Senate majority leaders have only had to file cloture votes to overcome filibusters on Supreme Court nominees only four times in history, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service.

The last time was in 2006 when Democrats filibustered President George W. Bush’s nominee, Samuel Alito. The Senate later voted 72 to 25 to advance him to a final confirmation vote.

CNN host Jake Tapper asked Sanders whether he would support Democratic colleague Jeff Merkley Jeffrey (Jeff) Alan MerkleyThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support Sunday shows - Trump team defends coronavirus response Oregon senator says Trump's blame on 'forest management' for wildfires is 'just a big and devastating lie' MORE (Ore.), who wrote in a New York Times op-ed that Gorsuch needs 60 votes.

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“Absolutely,” Sanders replied.

Schumer has also called for a 60-vote threshold for Gorsuch.

“On a subject as important as a Supreme Court nomination, bipartisan support should be a prerequisite, it should be essential,” he said.

Tapper than asked Sanders about his comments during the Democratic presidential primary that the Supreme Court “has nine members, not eight — we need that ninth member.”

A seat on the court has been vacant since February 2015 because of Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, resulting in several 4-4 deadlocks.

Sanders said his statements are consistent, explaining that he is not advocating for keeping the seat vacant, just that whoever replaces Scalia must win supermajority support in the Senate.

“If 60 people vote to confirm Judge Gorsuch, he will become the next” justice, Sanders said.

--This report was updated at 12:31 p.m.