\nThe federal judge from Colorado crossed the finish line in a 54-45 vote, one day after Trump\u2019s Republicans controversially changed Senate rules to circumvent a Democratic blockade of his nomination.
\n\u201cToday is a new day,\u201d Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said ahead of the vote, seeking to put a positive stamp on what has been a contentious congressional process for the new Republican administration.
\nGorsuch is \u201cgoing to make an incredible addition to the court,\u201d McConnell said.
\n\u201cHe\u2019s going to make the American people proud.\u201d The White House said Gorsuch \u2014 the youngest nominee in a generation \u2014 will be sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts on Monday at 9am (1300 GMT, 9pm Malaysia) in a private ceremony.
\nA public White House ceremony follows at 11am.
\nTrump, in his superlative style, praised Gorsuch\u2019s confirmation process as \u201cthe most transparent and accessible in history.\u201d
\n\u201cAs a deep believer in the rule of law, Judge Gorsuch will serve the American people with distinction as he continues to faithfully and vigorously defend our Constitution,\u201d he said in a statement.
\nThe 49-year-old judge has been hailed by Republicans as a worthy successor to towering conservative justice Antonia Scalia, who died in February 2016 as the presidential race was gaining steam.
\nThe nine-justice court has had one seat vacant for more than a year amid the ensuing political battle, with Democrats and Republicans trading bitter accusations of blame.
\nGorsuch\u2019s ability to write incisive rulings and his defence of a strict reading of the Constitution have fuelled comparisons with Scalia.
\nBut Gorsuch was staunchly opposed by opposition Democrats, angry that Republicans refused to grant a hearing to then-president Barack Obama\u2019s pick to replace Scalia, Merrick Garland.
\nMcConnell argued that since it was an election year, the next president should pick the nominee.
\nThe Supreme Court is the final arbiter of many of the most sensitive issues of American life and law. Its members are appointed for life, so their influence is long-lasting.<\/p>\n