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Significance

On October 6, the US Senate voted 50-48 to confirm Kavanaugh, who succeeds recently retired Justice Anthony Kennedy. Kavanaugh’s confirmation returns the Court to full nine-member strength and gives conservatives a 5-4 majority that will influence the US regulatory landscape for years.

Impacts

Democratic ‘red state’ senators from 2016 pro-Trump states who voted against Kavanaugh may gain support.

Trump may have the opportunity to nominate further Supreme Court justices, but a Democratic Senate could halt his picks.

Chief Justice John Roberts could become the Court’s new most-likely ‘swing voter’.

Absent any court packing, Republicans and Democrats in office may be tempted to ignore or circumvent Supreme Court rulings.

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