Question

The president has a vacancy to fill

on the Supreme Court. The
president appoints a justice, but that
justice does not become a member
of the Supreme Court. How is this
possible?

Answer 1

It is possible because the body that actually approves or rejects the appointment of a candidate to Supreme Court Justice is the Senate.

The president selects a candidate who meets the criteria to become justice, and the Senate has to vote on whether to approve or reject the candidate. The candidate can become justice simply by winning a plurality of votes in the Senate, that is to say, at least 51 votes.