In a statement on Twitter Friday afternoon, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, Democrat of Missouri, said she will oppose Federal Judge Neil Gorsuch's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"This is a very difficult decision for me," McCaskill said, citing concern with Washington's polarized and vindictive politics.
"I'm certain we will have a Senate rule change that will usher in more extreme judges in the future," she said.
McCaskill said her decision was based on several concerns.
She said Gorsuch has a "rigid ideology" favoring corporate interests over working people. And she cited his support for the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which allows corporations and unions to contribute unlimited amounts of money to political parties and candidates.
"I reject this nomination because Judge Gorsuch would continue an activist position that states that corporations have the same rights as people," McCaskill said.
Finally, McCaskill said Gorsuch's nomination betrays President Trump's promise to support working people and "drain the swamp" of special interests and lobbyists.
Until now, McCaskill said she had been undecided on how she would vote, which is scheduled for next week.
McCaskill is up for re-election for a third term in 2018. Missouri voted overwhelmingly for Trump in the presidential election.
