The US Senate has confirmed Brett Kavanaugh as the 114th Supreme Court Justice by one of the narrowest margins in history amid mass protests, ending a vitriolic battle that began as a debate over judicial ideology and concluded with a national reckoning over sexual misconduct.

As a chorus of women in the Senate's public galleries repeatedly interrupted the proceedings on Saturday night with cries of "Shame!", somber-looking senators voted 50 to 48 - almost entirely along party lines - to elevate Judge Kavanaugh, reports The New York Times. The 53-year-old Kavanaugh was promptly sworn in by both Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the retired Justice Anthony M. Kennedy - the court's longtime swing vote, whom he will replace - in a private ceremony.