A leading U.S. Senator says Democrats may be a step closer to using a filibuster to try to delay or halt the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Senator Joseph Biden said on U.S. television (Fox News Sunday) that he is concerned by a statement Judge Alito made in 1985 questioning the high court's 1962 decision on reapportionment.
That equal voting rights decision - popularly known as `one man, one vote' - requires that legislative districts be similar in population so that voters are equally represented in Congress.
Mr. Biden said he would oppose Mr. Alitos's nomination, if the nominee continues to oppose reapportionment when he appears before the Senate for confirmation in January. Senator Biden said Democratic opposition could include a filibuster - a long procedural debate used to stall confirmation.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.