Senate Democrats Hold News Conf. On Genetically Engineered Food Labeling

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), speaks during a news conference regarding genetically engineered food labeling, on Capitol Hill, July 6, 2016 in Washington, DC. On April 4, 2017, the senator from Oregon took to the Senate floor to block the confirmation vote on President Donald Trump's pick to replace Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch.

(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Updated 8:20 p.m.: The senator's original Facebook Live video ended after four hours. His staff began a new one, embedded below.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) on Tuesday took to the Senate floor "for as long as he is able to continue speaking" in an effort to block a vote on the confirmation on President Donald Trump's Supreme Court pick.

The senator from Oregon began speaking at approximately 3 p.m. Pacific time, according to a release from his office. Throughout that time, he's spoken at length about the differences between Gorsuch's nomination and that of Merrick Garland, who was nominated by then-President Barack Obama more than one year ago after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

Republicans argued that a Supreme Court justice shouldn't be confirmed in an election year, citing historic precedence. At 7 p.m., Merkley listed the names of several justices who were appointed during those time frames.

"That is a phony, phony, incorrect, salacious, insert your own adjective there argument," he said.

Merkley's staff is broadcasting the entire speech over Facebook Live, calling the seat left vacant by the late Scalia as "stolen."

Senator Merkley Speaks on Senate Floor on Gorsuch Nomination Taking the Senate floor to #StopGorsuch. By stealing a Supreme Court seat for the first time in American history, the Senate is undermining the Court and the rule of law, and turning the highest court in the land into a political committee. This assault on our democracy demands as robust a resistance as we can possibly mount. Watch LIVE here: Posted by Senator Jeff Merkley on Tuesday, April 4, 2017

After nearly four hours, the senator had to start the live stream again:

PART 2: Senator Merkley Speaks on Senate Floor on Gorsuch Nomi... ….Still going. Watch LIVE as I take the Senate floor to #StopGorsuch. By stealing a Supreme Court seat for the first time in American history, the Senate is undermining the Court and the rule of law, and turning the highest court in the land into a political committee. This assault on our democracy demands as robust a resistance as we can possibly mount. Posted by Senator Jeff Merkley on Tuesday, April 4, 2017

It's a popular refrain for Democrats, who are incensed that Garland, Obama's pick, wasn't granted a hearing by Senate Republicans last year, much less a vote.

Gorsuch is unpopular with both of Oregon's senators, not least because of his views on assisted suicide laws -- the Supreme Court nominee has published a book on the matter, extensively citing Oregon law.

All but four Democrats have pledged to vote against Gorsuch, The Washington Post reports.

Threats of a filibuster have Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pursuing what's being called the "nuclear option" --that is, removing the 60-vote threshold required to stop a filibuster and confirm a Supreme Court nominee.

Democrats employed the strategy in 2013 to appoint several Obama nominees, although then-Majority Leader Harry Reid said the party wouldn't move to do the same to the Supreme Court.

McConnell, meanwhile, has told several media outlets that he isn't considering extending eliminating the filibuster on legislative proceedings.

--Eder Campuzano | 503.221.4344

@edercampuzano

ecampuzano@oregonian.com