In a 53-47 vote Ketanji was elevated the first Black woman to the pinnacle of the judicial branch as senators erupted in cheers. Three Republicans joined Democrats in supporting President Biden’s nominee.
But no Black woman had the opportunity to vote for the barrier-breaking nominee: None is currently a member of the 100-person chamber, which includes three Black men.
This is in spite of Republican opposition accusing her possible voting to “packing” justices on the Supreme Court. But remember Justice Amy Coney Barrett evaded answering the question during her confirmation. And in 2016, Mr. McConnell refused to give a hearing to President Barack Obama’s nominee, Judge Merrick B. Garland.
Senator Ted Cruz, said he expected Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the “furthest left of any justice to have ever served on the Supreme Court.” He also said: “She is an extreme outlier on the question of crime,” Multiple news organizations fact-checked that line of attack and found it to be misleading, noting that Judge Jackson had generally followed common judicial sentencing practices.
Senator Marsha Blackburn claimed that “the dark money leftist groups” supporting Judge Jackson were “trying to push this agenda of woke education.”
Three Republicans supporting her, which parallels that of Justice Neil M. Gorsuch in terms of limited bipartisan support. But let’s celebrate the decision. Raised by Black, loving parents, who grew up through segregation.
Senator Cory Booker, the only Black lawmaker on the Senate Judiciary Committee, moved Judge Jackson to tears as he reminded her of the significance of her bid to sit on the Supreme Court.
“You are my star. You are my harbinger of hope,” he said. “I’m not going to let my joy be stolen because I know, you and I? We appreciate something that we get that a lot of my colleagues don’t.”
Jackson is among the most popular judges in recent history to be confirmed to the court. A poll conducted after Jackson’s Senate confirmation hearings found 49% of respondents thought the Senate should confirm Jackson and only 26% thought it shouldn’t.
This is higher than any of the three justices nominated by former President Donald Trump received upon being confirmed. Another poll conducted before the Senate hearings also found support for Jackson’s confirmation (at 58%) was higher than that of any Supreme Court justice in recent history except for Chief Justice John Roberts, whose confirmation in 2005 was backed by 59% of respondents.
The NABWMT rejoices on President Biden’s pick and Justice Jackson’s elevation to the court which which will rule on important issues related to our statement of purpose.