Judge Samuel Alito was confirmed on Jan. 31, 2006, to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court, by a vote of 58-42. However, the crucial vote happened the day before, when senators voted on whether or not to end debate on this nomination. Because the Republican leadership had enough votes to confirm Samuel Alito, a filibuster was the only option to prevent the confirmation. A vote against the cloture motion was correct.