Breyer has been an Associate Justice since 1994 . Breyer 's appointment came shortly thereafter , however , following the retirement of Harry Blackmun in 1994 , when Clinton nominated Breyer as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on May 13 of that year . Breyer was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in an 87 to 9 vote and took his seat August 3 , 1994 .