WASHINGTON, DC – It's not quite "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," but it's close. By 7 a.m. Pacific on Wednesday, Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon, had been on the floor of the Senate for more than 15 hours trying to rally opposition to the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

Merkley ended his time at 7:15 a.m. Pacific. "For the first time in U.S. history, the Senate stole a seat from one president in order to pack the court," he said. "I've got to tell you that it isn't just a clever new tactic. It isn't just an excessive exercise of partisanship.

"This is a crime against our constitution and the responsibilities of this body." While the Democrats do have enough votes to sustain a full filibuster against the nomination, Republicans have said they will use the so-called "nuclear option" — changing the rules so Gorsuch could be confirmed with 51 votes, a simple majority.

Merkley says that he will hold the floor until he can no longer speak. No word yet on whether any other Democrats will join him.

You can watch live on C-SPAN2 or on Merkley's Facebook here:

Video still via Merkley's office

