Who has the power to confirm Supreme Court justices?

The power to confirm Supreme Court justices lies with the Senate. This process is a crucial aspect of the system of checks and balances that characterizes the U.S. government. When the President nominates a candidate for the Supreme Court, that nomination is then submitted to the Senate for confirmation. The Senate Judiciary Committee typically conducts hearings to evaluate the nominee, after which the full Senate votes on whether to confirm the appointment. This ensures that both the executive and legislative branches are involved in shaping the judiciary, maintaining a separation of powers within the government.

While the President has the role of nominating justices, without the Senate's confirmation, those nominations cannot take effect. Thus, the Senate plays a pivotal role in the judicial appointments process, reflecting its constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on such nominations.