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Alito Sworn In After 58-42 Vote

Legal Times
February 1, 2006

Capping an often rancorous and lengthy drama, Samuel Alito Jr. was confirmed on Tuesday by the full Senate, 58-42, and quickly sworn in as the nation's 110th justice. Tuesday's vote clearly came as a relief to the Senate's Republican majority, which dodged an attempt at a filibuster and repeatedly rejected Democrats' accusation that Alito would tilt the Supreme Court dangerously to the right.

Senate Moves Alito Close to Confirmation by Voting to End Debate

The Associated Press
January 31, 2006

The Senate on Monday all but guaranteed Samuel Alito's confirmation to the Supreme Court, shutting down liberals' last-minute attempt to block the conservative judge with a filibuster. On a 72-25 vote, Republican and Democratic senators agreed to end their debate, setting up a vote this morning on Alito's confirmation to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. With at least 57 votes committed to Alito, approval by majority vote in the 100-member Senate is seemingly assured.

Alito's 'Murder Board' a Mix of the Legal Elite

The National Law Journal
January 30, 2006

The well-handled U.S. Supreme Court nominee is now a fixture, and much of the credit -- or blame -- for that goes to so-called murder boards, or confirmation preparation sessions, which involve the participation of a diverse mix of attorneys. But that practice touched off some controversy during Judge Samuel Alito's judiciary committee hearings, when a senator asked about coaching from a White House lawyer.

Senate GOP to Try to Force Vote on Alito

The Associated Press
January 27, 2006

Democratic critics of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito threatened on Thursday to block a vote on his confirmation, while Republicans countered with a move designed to force his approval by early next week. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy said he and other Democrats had refused to agree to a timetable for ending debate -- but Democratic leader Harry Reid offered no support for Kennedy, John Kerry and others who may be seeking a filibuster in a last stand against Alito's confirmation.

Alito Accepts GOP Congratulations as Senate Moves Toward His Confirmation

The Associated Press
January 26, 2006

Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito took a victory lap in the Senate on Wednesday, accepting congratulations from Republican leaders as lawmakers moved toward confirming him. Alito has enough support from 51 Republicans and Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska to assure his confirmation, and the rest of the chamber's Democrats showed little interest in a filibuster. Alito may be on his way to the most partisan Senate victory for a Supreme Court nominee in years.

Judiciary Committee Advances Alito Nomination to Full Senate

Legal Times
January 25, 2006

Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito Jr. was voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee early Tuesday afternoon, with all 10 Republicans endorsing the 55-year old federal appeals court judge and all eight Democrats opposing him. The strictly partisan committee vote had been widely anticipated after Alito's weeklong hearings. The full Senate will take up the Alito nomination this morning and could vote on his confirmation as early as Friday.

Alito Heads Into Judiciary Committee Vote With First Victory Assured

The Associated Press
January 24, 2006

Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito Jr. heads into the first vote of his high court candidacy with victory assured today in a Senate committee, but Democratic opponents are still working to dampen his support in the full Senate. After the committee votes, Alito's nomination goes to the full Senate for a final vote later this week. Republicans want Alito on the Supreme Court before President Bush gives his State of the Union address on Jan. 31.

Did Democrats Seal Their Defeat in Alito Hearings?

Legal Times
January 23, 2006

There are any number of ways to fault the performance of Senate Democrats in their campaign to keep Samuel Alito Jr. off the high court. During Alito's weeklong confirmation hearings, Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats were, by turns, hostile, pedantic, bombastic and confused. Follow-up questions? No time for that. And any strategic miscalculations aside, is this just a numbers game that Democrats can't win?

Alito Gives Senate Committee More Answers -- but Not on Abortion

The Associated Presss
January 23, 2006

Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito Jr. told senators Friday that he sees protection in the Constitution for privacy, but he refused anew to divulge his thoughts on the Court's landmark abortion rights decisions. The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on his nomination on Tuesday, with the full Senate starting final debate the next day. Several Democrats say they don't expect a filibuster, but they are lining up to vote against the conservative judge.

Would a Justice Alito Carry On the Reagan Revolution?

Legal Times
January 19, 2006

In Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito Jr.'s confirmation hearings last week, Democrats focused critical attention on his role in the Reagan administration -- before his 15 years in the "judicial monastery" smoothed any partisan edges he had. Some voiced concern that, once Alito is freed from the circuit court obligation to obey precedent, those loyalties will resurface and make him the high court's most faithful emissary of the Reagan revolution.

Conservative Democrat Says He'll Vote for Alito

The Associated Presss
January 19, 2006

Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito has the confirmation vote of at least one Senate Democrat, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, who praised Alito on Wednesday as a man of "impeccable judicial credentials." The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote next week on Alito's nomination to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Meanwhile, Sens. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and Max Baucus, D-Mont., have announced that they will vote against Alito.

Senate Judiciary Committee to Vote on Alito Nomination on Jan. 24

The Associated Presss
January 18, 2006

Judge Samuel Alito's nomination to serve on the Supreme Court will be voted on by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 24, according to Senate leaders. The full Senate is expected to begin debate the following day. Alito is assured of approval in the committee, where all 10 Republicans have indicated their support, and prospects for confirmation in the full Senate are strong as well, although Democrats have not yet ruled out mounting a filibuster to delay or prevent a final vote.

Alito Nomination Timeline
The timeline will feature stories through all stages of the nomination process.

 

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