WASHINGTON, D.C. – Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed on Monday evening to become the 115th U.S. Supreme Court justice, replacing the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Barrett, who was appointed to the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017, earned 52 votes in the U.S. Senate, and could start work at the court as early as Tuesday. Only one Republican, Susan Collins of Maine, voted with all 45 Democrats and two independents against confirming Barrett.
Shortly after the Senate vote, Barrett was sworn in by Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas at the White House.
On this October evening, and it is so beautiful, the First Lady and I welcome you to the White House to bear witness to history,” said President Trump. “In a few moments, we will proudly swear in the newest member of the United States Supreme Court, Justice Amy Coney Barrett.”
Barrett, who fills the seat vacated due to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, is the fifth woman in U.S. history to become a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
“It is the job of a senator to pursue her policy preferences,” Barrett said in her remarks at that White House swearing-in ceremony. “In fact, it would be a dereliction of duty for her to put policy goals aside. By contrast, it is the job of a judge to resist her policy preferences. It would be a dereliction of duty for her to give into them. Federal judges don’t stand for election. Thus, they have no basis for claiming that their preferences reflect those of the people.”
