The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, making her the first Latina to join the Supreme Court. The 68-to-31 vote came mostly along party lines, with just nine Republicans joining Democrats to vote in favor. At the White House, President Obama welcomed the news of Sotomayor’s approval.

President Obama: “These core American ideals — justice, equality and opportunity — are the very ideals that have made Judge Sotomayor’s own uniquely American journey possible. They’re ideals she’s fought for throughout her career and the ideals the Senate has upheld today in breaking yet another barrier and moving us yet another step closer to a more perfect union.”

Sotomayor is set to be sworn in to the Supreme Court on Saturday.