Once the Committee reports out the nomination , the whole Senate considers it . A simple majority vote is required to confirm or to reject a nominee . Prior to 2017 , a successful filibuster threat could add the requirement of a supermajority of 60 needed in favor of cloture , which would allow debate to end and force a final vote on confirmation . Rejections are relatively uncommon ; the Senate has explicitly rejected twelve Supreme Court nominees in its history . The most recent rejection of a nominee by vote of the full Senate came in 1987 , when the Senate refused to confirm Robert Bork .

Question: how many votes to approve supreme court justice
Answer: A simple majority