U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito picked up the endorsement of a key Republican on Friday and Democrats were running out of options to block Senate confirmation of a judge they fear would tilt the court too far to the political right.

Five days of Senate Judiciary Committee consideration ended with Chairman Arlen Specter announcing his support for President George W. Bush's nomination of Alito for the high court.

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If confirmed, Alito would replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a swing vote on the nine-member court on hot-button issues such as abortion.

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Alito, a 55-year-old conservative appeals court judge, was grilled during the week about his past statements in opposition to a woman's right to an abortion but refused to give definitive answers on how he would rule if confirmed for the Supreme Court.