From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

Another blow to bipartisanship.

Hello again, I'm Warren Allney, and this is To the Point.

George Washington told Thomas Jefferson, the Senate should be the saucer that catches and cools the heated overflow from the House of Representatives. In the Senate, minority party rights have been protected by requiring that some measures need 60 votes instead of just 51 in order to pass. But over the years, both parties have eroded that rule, especially regarding judicial confirmations, and this week it's happening again.

What will approval of President Trump's first appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court mean

in the long run for both political parties?

Today, on our talking point later, Mara Lago is now the Winter White House, a profitable

new brand for the resort owner-in-chief.

First, here's the news.

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Hello again, Warren Al-Nebuck with To The Point. Senate Democrats today blocked Judge Neil Gorsuch's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, but just for the moment, the Republican majority has changed the rules to force a likely confirmation as soon as tomorrow.

We'll hear all about that as we go forward. Today's talking point later, Mar Alago is now called

the Winter White House, another branding triumph for America's resort owner-in-chief. This week's

summit meeting with China's Xi Jinping is Donald Trump's sixth high-profile visit there since he was

inaugurated. What's the bill for American taxpayers? First, this news update. California Republican

Devin Nunes has recused himself as chair of the House Intelligence Committee while it

investigates Russian interference in last year's election.

He's also being investigated himself by the Ethics Committee.

Ali Watkins is National Security Reporter for BuzzFeed.

Always good to have you.

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