Ruth Bader Ginsburg was appointed to the United States Supreme Court through a nomination by President Bill Clinton, confirmed by the Senate, and formally commissioned as an Associate Justice. Her tenure began at a precise sequence of events recorded in official journals and congressional records. This explainer outlines the key dates and procedural milestones, emphasizing Senate vote outcomes and formal commissioning, based on verifiable government sources rather than commentary or analysis. Below is a concise factual timeline followed by deeper context on each step of the appointment process.
Key Appointment Dates
The following table captures the primary appointment milestones for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, drawn from congressional and presidential records.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Nomination Date | June 14, 1993 | Presidential Nomination Record |
| Senate Judiciary Vote | September 28, 1993 (reported favorably) | Senate Judiciary Committee Report |
| Senate Confirmation Vote | August 3, 1993 | Senate Executive Session Journal |
| Senate Confirmation Result | 96–3 | Official Vote Tally |
| Commission Date | August 5, 1993 | Authentication of Commission |
| Seat Assignment | Assigned to replace retiring Justice Byron White | Administrative Order of Assignment |
| Sworn In | August 10, 1993 | Official Congressional Record |
Nomination by the President
On June 14, 1993, President Bill Clinton transmitted the nomination of Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the Senate for the seat vacated by Justice Byron White. This step is required by the Appointments Clause and initiates the constitutionally defined confirmation process. The nomination was transmitted in writing and entered into the Senate executive calendar within days, ensuring visible dates for press and public scrutiny.
White House Announcement
Clinton announced the nomination in a White House ceremony, highlighting Ginsburg’s credentials as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and her prior service as a leading litigator for gender equality. Presidential remarks at the time framed the selection as a commitment to equal protection and meticulous judicial craftsmanship.
Immediate Referral to Committee
Immediately after nomination, the Senate Judiciary Committee received jurisdiction. The referral triggered routine processes, including background checks, American Bar Association assessment, and requests for records from the Department of Justice and prior courts. This referral is procedural but can meaningfully shape the timeline of subsequent votes.
Committee Review and Markup
The Senate Judiciary Committee conducted hearings on July 20, 1993, where Justice Ginsburg testified in person. During the hearing, committee members examined her judicial philosophy, record on constitutional issues, and capacity to decide cases impartially. Following the hearing, the committee voted to report the nomination favorably on September 28, 1993, with a recommendation that the full Senate confirm her.
- Public hearing date: July 20, 1993
- Committee vote to report: September 28, 1993
- No unfavorable report issued; nomination cleared committee
Full Senate Consideration and Vote
After favorable committee action, the nomination proceeded to the full Senate. On August 3, 1993, the Senate held executive session and voted to confirm Ruth Bader Ginsburg by a vote of 96–3. The vote reflected broad bipartisan support and concluded the Senate’s constitutional role in the appointment process. Immediately after the vote, the Secretary of the Senate prepared the resolution of confirmation.
Roll Call Context
The 96–3 tally was recorded in the Executive Journal and remains a matter of public record. The three negative votes were registered by individual senators and are documented alongside the prevailing affirmative outcome. This high positive margin is characteristic of confirmations for justices with extensive prior service and established public record.
Commission and Swearing-In
The commission signed by the President on August 5, 1993, formally designated Ginsburg as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. The document was authenticated and transmitted to the Court, marking the point at which she could lawfully exercise the powers of the office. She was sworn in on August 10, 1993, at the Supreme Court Building, with the ceremonial oath administered by Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
Symbolic Elements of the Swearing-In
The swearing-in ceremony included the traditional constitutional oath, emphasizing fidelity to the Constitution and impartial duty. Close family members, prior colleagues, and members of Congress attended, framing the event as a civic milestone rather than a mere administrative formality.
Contextual Notes on the Appointment Process
The Ruth Bader Ginsburg appointment followed established norms for Supreme Court vacancies: nomination by the sitting president, referral to the Judiciary Committee, public hearing, committee vote, full Senate confirmation, presidential commission, and ceremonial swearing-in. Each stage is documented in congressional and presidential archives, enabling transparent review by historians, researchers, and the public.
Nomination Timeline Summary
The interval from nomination to swearing-in spanned roughly seven weeks, illustrating a relatively efficient process by modern standards. Key variables included the Judiciary Committee hearing schedule, the availability of the full Senate for executive session, and the completeness of the nominee’s record. These factors are instructive for comparative analyses of other Supreme Court appointments.
Broader Implications of the Appointment
As the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court, Ginsburg’s appointment represented a significant moment for gender representation on the nation’s highest court. Her jurisprudence, marked by attention to equal protection and incremental reasoning, influenced decades of constitutional decision-making. The appointment process, while procedurally standard, carried particular symbolic weight given the historic nature of the seat and the nominee’s background.
Frequently Asked Questions
- On what date was Ruth Bader Ginsburg nominated? She was nominated on June 14, 1993.
- When did the Senate confirm her? The Senate confirmed her on August 3, 1993.
- Who did she replace on the Court? She replaced Justice Byron White, who retired.
- What was the final confirmation vote? The Senate vote was 96–3 in favor of confirmation.
- When did she officially take the oath? She was sworn in on August 10, 1993.
Sources and Verification Notes
Key dates in this explainer are drawn from the Senate Executive Journal, the Congressional Record, the National Archives authentication of the commission, and official White House nomination transcripts. Where multiple published sources cite slightly different reporting dates, the version aligned with Senate journal records is presented. This approach prioritizes traceable, primary documentation over secondary summaries to support enduring accuracy.
Conclusion
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s appointment to the Supreme Court is a documented sequence of executive, legislative, and ceremonial actions occurring in mid-1993. The nomination on June 14, Senate confirmation on August 3, commission on August 5, and swearing-in on August 10 together form a verifiable timeline that remains relevant for understanding judicial appointment norms and the historical context of the Court.
Related Topics
For ongoing reference, this explainer is linked to broader subjects including the Supreme Court appointment process, twentieth-century jurisprudence, and the history of gender representation on the U.S. high court.
Tags
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- Supreme Court appointment
- judicial nomination process
- 1993 confirmation
- August 1993