The US Senate has confirmed Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, ending a year-long political battle and presenting President Donald Trump with a welcome victory.
Republicans and a handful of Democrats delivered 54 votes in favour of Mr Gorsuch to get him across the finish line in the 100-member chamber.
The move came one day after opposition Democrats launched a historic blockade of the nominee.
The Republican leadership countered with the so-called "nuclear option," a manoeuvre that changed Senate rules so that advancing Mr Gorsuch, and all subsequent Supreme Court nominees, to a final vote requires a simple majority of 51 votes, rather than the traditional 60-vote threshold.
