Final answer:
C) The Senate Judiciary Committee
The confirmation process for a Supreme Court justice nominee begins with the Senate Judiciary Committee after the president selects a nominee. Following committee approval, a majority vote in the full Senate is required. The Senate Judiciary Committee evaluates the nominee through discussions and hearings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Confirmation Process of a Supreme Court Justice Nominee
The first major step in the confirmation process for a nominee to become a Supreme Court justice, after being selected by the president, is to be interviewed and approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The president sometimes selects nominees from a list provided by the American Bar Association, but it's the Senate Judiciary Committee that plays a key role in discussing and debating the qualifications of the nominee. Following the committee's approval, the candidate must be confirmed by a majority vote in the full Senate before taking an oath to uphold the Constitution and US laws, assuming the lifetime position as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
During this process, the Senate Judiciary Committee's role is vital as it holds the power to hold hearings and vote on the suitability of the nominee before the full Senate vote.
High-profile appointments, such as those of Supreme Court justices, often involve extensive hearings to understand the nominee's stance on various issues. Though the Senate rarely rejects a nominee on the floor, there's potential for a nominee to be stopped at the committee level if not scheduled for a vote.