Judge Samuel Alito was sworn in as a US Supreme Court justice on Tuesday, becoming the second of President George W. Bush's nominees to be confirmed and tipping the court decidely rightward.
The Republican-dominated Senate earlier Tuesday confirmed conservative judge Alito by a near party-line 58 to 42 vote.
Alito, 55, a federal appeals court judge, has taken the seat vacated by departing justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who was the first woman ever seated on the court.
Alito took the oath in a brief ceremony at the Supreme Court, just hours before the president was to deliver his annual State of the Union speech in Congress, which the new justice was to attend.
A White House ceremony in Alito's honor was set to take place yesterday, during which he is expected to take his oath a second time.
Bush on Tuesday said he was "pleased" by the Senate's endorsement of Alito, whom he described as a "brilliant and fair-minded judge."
"He is a man of deep character and integrity, and he will make all Americans proud as a justice on our highest court," Bush said.
Although he cleared his confirmation vote by a comfortable margin, Alito garnered fewer votes than any Supreme Court justice since Clarence Thomas, a uniquely polarizing nominee who is perhaps the court's most conservative justice. Thomas was confirmed in 1991.
Despite the lack of bipartisan support for Alito, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist hailed the confirmation as a major triumph for Bush.
"To President Bush, I say, thank you for nominating such an exceptionally qualified individual as Sam Alito to serve on the Supreme Court," Frist said moments before the final tally.
"To Judge Alito, I say, you deserve a seat on the Supreme Court. Today, you will become the 110th justice to serve on the Court throughout America's history. It is a seat that is reserved for few, but that impacts millions," Frist said.
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