The U.S. Senate on Friday confirmed Judge Neil M. Gorsuch to become the 113th justice of the Supreme Court.

Gorsuch, 49, succeeds Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016. Scalia was, and Gorsuch is, a conservative jurist.

“This is a good day for the Court, the Senate, and America,” said Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall. “It is my hope and expectation that Justice Gorsuch will be a strong defender of our constitution and his appointment will reposition the Court as a force for the rule of law.”

“I applaud the Senate for wasting no time in confirming Justice Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court,” U.S. Rep. Martha Roby said. “I believe our country will benefit from the new energy and experience that Justice Gorsuch will bring to the bench.”