Alito sworn in as justice on the United States Supreme Court

Samuel Alito was confirmed and sworn in as the newest justice of the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, just in time to appear at President George W. Bush's evening state of the union address.

The Senate voted 58-42 to approve Alito's appointment, with all but one Republican supporting him and all but four Democrats voting against him.

Bush nominated Alito, 55, three months ago. He replaces Sandra Day O'Connor, known for being a moderate voice on the country's highest court, who is retiring.

Leading up to Tuesday's vote, many Democrat politicians had objected to the conservative Alito on the grounds of his past support for scaling back abortion rights.

Alito's supporters have argued his views on abortion were expressed while working as a lawyer with the Reagan administration, not when he was later appointed as a judge.

The son of an Italian immigrant, and born and raised in New Jersey, his philosophical similarities to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia have earned him the nickname Scalito.

Alito and new U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts are the first new justices on the U.S. Supreme Court since 1994. Roberts replaced William Rehnquist after his death on Sept. 3, 2005.

Alito's swearing-in ceremony took place early Tuesday afternoon at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. He can start considering cases immediately.

Both Alito and Roberts are to attend Bush's address, which begins at 9 p.m. EST.
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MICHAEL McCAFFERTY comments:

Today is a banner day for conservatives in the United States. President George W. Bush has succeeded in giving America a truly 'conservative' Supreme Court.
It is my hope the US Supreme Court will now uphold traditional values such as God,the family and law and order.

Congratulations are in order to Justice Alito.