It's a sweet moment for Republicans,locking in a 6-3 conservative majority on the nation's most powerful court. President Donald Trump has now appointed three justices to the court in four years - more than Barack Obama,George W Bush or Bill Clinton appointed during their two-term presidencies.
Aged just 48,Barrett will likely sit on the bench for decades to come. And while some justices go"rogue"after being appointed,Republicans feel confident that Barrett will be a solid conservative vote on issues such as abortion and gun rights.
"This is the most openly pro-life judicial nominee to the Supreme Court in my lifetime,"Republican Senator Josh Hawley said as the final confirmation vote approached."This is an individual who has been open in her criticism of that illegitimate decision:Roe vs Wade."
Barrett's influence could be felt almost immediately if the Supreme Court is called upon to decide any disputes arising from the election. Democrats have called for Barrett to recuse herself from any election-related cases given Trump has explicitly said he wanted her on the court for this purpose. But it's rare for Supreme Court justices to recuse themselves from big cases,and Barrett did not commit to doing so at her nomination hearings.