The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in a 52-48 vote. Every Democrat voted against Barrett's nomination. They were joined by Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the official Constitutional Oath to Barrett at a socially distanced White House ceremony following the Senate's vote.
“My fellow Americans — even though we judges don’t face elections. We still work for you. It is your Constitution that establishes the rule of law and the judicial independence that is so central to it. The oath that I have solemnly taken tonight means at its core that I will do my job without any fear or favor and that I will do so independently of both the political branches and of my own preferences,” Barrett said.
Her confirmation was followed by a reception, where all attendees will be required to wear masks.
Barrett, who served on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals judge and was a law professor at Notre Dame, is the third appointment to the Supreme Court made by President Donald Trump.
Barrett solidifies a 6-3 conservative majority on the high court, and she will be able to participate in the court's upcoming cases, including some that relate directly to President Trump and the upcoming election. The Supreme Court is taking up a case on whether President Trump will have to turn over his tax returns to a New York prosecutor. She will also hear cases about Pennsylvania ballot extensions and cases relating to mail-in voting and how long after election day ballots can be counted.
Another controversial case in which Barrett could be the deciding vote involves a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks. Barrett's stance on abortion and her opinion on potentially overturning Roe v. Wade were brought up numerous times by Democrats during her confirmation hearings.
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