How the U.S. Senate voted on other Supreme Court justices

U.S. Senate confirmations of Supreme Court nominees have becoming increasingly acrimonious and partisan during the past two decades.

President Barack Obama’s second nominee to the high court, Elena Kagan, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 13-6 Tuesday, with only one Republican supporting her nomination.

With Kagan headed toward anticipated confirmation by the Democratic-led Senate next month on a largely party-line vote, here’s a look at the confirmation votes of the court’s current eight justices by the full chamber and its Judiciary Committee.

• Sonia Sotomayor, nominated by President Barack Obama; approved by committee, 13-6; confirmed by Senate, 68-31, on August 6, 2009.

• Samuel Alito, nominated by President George W. Bush; approved by committee, 10-8; confirmed by Senate, 58-42, on January 31, 2006.

• John Roberts, nominated by Bush; approved by committee, 13-5; confirmed by the Senate, 78-22, on September 29, 2005.

• Stephen Breyer, nominated by Democratic President Bill Clinton; approved by committee, 18-0; confirmed by Senate, 87-9, on July 29, 1994.

• Ruth Bader Ginsburg, nominated by Clinton; approved by committee, 18-0; confirmed by Senate, 96-3, on August 3, 1993.

• Clarence Thomas, nominated by President George H.W. Bush; committee deadlocked, 7-7; confirmed by Senate, 52-48, on October 15, 1991.

• Anthony Kennedy, nominated by President Ronald Reagan; approved by committee, 14-0; confirmed by full Senate, 97-0, on February 3, 1988.

• Antonin Scalia, nominated by Reagan; approved by committee, 18-0; confirmed by full Senate, 98-0, on September 17, 1986.

(Source Senate historians’ office)