The United States Supreme Court is the highest judicial court in the country. Supreme Court justices are federal judges nominated by the U.S. president and approved through the U.S. Senate. Currently, there are nine Supreme Court justices although that number varied from six to ten prior to 1869. To become a Supreme Court Justice, a candidate must first be nominated by the President. The Senate Judiciary Committee investigates the nominee and holds hearings to hear witnesses testify in favor or opposition to the candidate. The committee will return a vote of confirmation, rejection, or no recommendation. Finally, the U.S. Senate votes on the candidate; a nominee must have a majority vote from the 100-member Senate before taking the oath as a Supreme Court justice.