The entrance to the Supreme court is inscribed with the words, equal justice under law.

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A New Justice

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The most powerful court in the nation recently welcomed a new member. On October 26, Amy Coney Barrett was sworn in as a justice, or judge, on the U.S. Supreme Court. Barrett is only the fifth woman appointed to the Court since it was formed in 1789. She replaced Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September at age 87.

When a justice dies or retires, the president nominates someone to fill the empty seat. The U.S. Senate then must approve or reject the president’s choice.

President Donald Trump selected Barrett. She had spent more than a decade as a university law professor. She had also served as a federal judge since 2017. The Senate approved Barrett by a vote of 52 to 48.

Meet the Court

Amy Coney Barrett joins these justices on the Supreme Court.

Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post/Getty Images (Roberts); TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images (Alito, Sotomayor, Kagan); SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images (Gorsuch); Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo (Breyer); Alex Edelman/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Photo (Kavanaugh); EPA/JIM LO SCALZO/Shutterstock (Thomas)

Remembering RBG

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During her long law career, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was known as a champion of justice. As a lawyer, she won several key cases that led to better opportunities for women. Ginsburg served on the Supreme Court for 27 years after being nominated in 1993. Her work made her an inspiration to countless Americans. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an American hero,” wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

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