(Video source: VCG)

Washington (People's Daily) - Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in Saturday as US Supreme Court justice following the closest such Senate vote in more than a century. 

The US Senate on Saturday confirmed Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court by a narrow vote of 50-48. While delivering President Trump a major victory, this final vote is set to add more fuel to the race heading into next month's midterm elections.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, the lone Republican to break with her party, voted "present" instead of "no" to accommodate absent Republican colleague Senator Steve Daines' "yes" vote.

Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia was the only Democrat voted "yes" for Judge Kavanaugh.

Once the results were announced, President Donald Trump tweeted, "I applaud and congratulate the US Senate for confirming our GREAT NOMINEE, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, to the United States Supreme Court. Later today, I will sign his Commission of Appointment, and he will be officially sworn in. Very exciting!"

Kavanaugh's confirmation will see the highest US court ideologically move down a more conservative path at least for the next generation. He will join four liberal justices and four conservatives to hear controversial disputes involving abortion, immigration, and voting rights.

On the eve of the vote, two Supreme Court justices, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, expressed concern that the partisan rancor around Kavanaugh's nomination would injure the court's reputation.

Kavanaugh supporters and those who opposed the Supreme Court nominee argued outside the Senate building in Washington D.C. on October 6, 2018. (Photo: Hu Zexi)

Kavanaugh supporters and those who opposed the Supreme Court nominee argued outside the Senate building in Washington D.C. on October 6, 2018. (Photos: Hu Zexi/People's Daily)

Kavanaugh supporters and those who opposed the Supreme Court nominee argued outside the Senate building in Washington D.C. on October 6, 2018. 

US Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who railed against the Trump nominee, delivered a speech outside the Senate building on October 6, 2018. 

Protesters rallied outside the US Senate Saturday afternoon, October 6, 2018. 

Kavanaugh supporters and those who opposed the Supreme Court nominee argued outside the Senate building in Washington D.C. on October 6, 2018. 

Protesters gathered outside the Senate building Saturday afternoon, October 6, 2018. 

Protesters gathered outside the Senate building Saturday afternoon, October 6, 2018. 

Protesters gathered outside the Senate building Saturday afternoon, October 6, 2018.