Senate set to vote Thursday on limiting Supreme Court nominee debate

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate is expected to vote at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT) on Thursday on whether to limit debate and move toward the final confirmation of President Donald Trump's choice of federal Judge Neil Gorsuch to take a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Democrats are expected to thwart the Republican effort by denying the 60 votes needed in the 100-member chamber to advance Gorsuch. If so, Republicans are expected to take the rare step of changing Senate rules so that they can advance the nomination with a minimum of 51 Republican votes, which would clear the way for Gorsuch’s confirmation on Friday. (Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Eric Beech)