Senate Confirms Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted 53-47 to confirm U.S. Circuit Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, making her the first Black woman ever to serve at the very top of the nation’s courts.

Jackson will now replace Justice Stephen Breyer when he retires at the end of the court’s session this summer.

As expected, three Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah, crossed party lines to support President Joe Biden’s nominee.

“Even in the darkest times, there are bright lights,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor. 

“Today is one of the brightest lights. Let us hope it’s a metaphor, an indication of many bright lights to come,” he said.

Not as rosy was Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who made one last stand against Jackson’s nomination before the vote commenced.

“When it came to one of the most consequential decisions a president can make, a lifetime appointment to our highest court, the Biden administration let the radicals run the show,” McConnell said. 

“The far left got the reckless inflationary spending they wanted. The far left has gotten the insecure border they wanted. And today, the far left will get the Supreme Court justice they wanted,” he added.

Biden, a veteran of a more bipartisan Senate, said from the day of Breyer’s retirement announcement in January that he wanted support from both parties for his history-making nominee, and he invited Republicans to the White House as he made his decision. It was an attempted reset from Trump’s presidency, when Democrats vociferously opposed the three nominees, and from the end of President Barack Obama’s, when Republicans blocked nominee Merrick Garland from getting a vote.

Once sworn in, Jackson will be the second-youngest member of the court after Justice Amy Coney Barrett, 50. She will join a court on which no one is yet 75, the first time that has happened in nearly 30 years.

Jackson’s first term will be marked by cases involving race, both in college admissions and voting rights. She has pledged to sit out the court’s consideration of Harvard University’s admissions program since she is a member of its board of overseers. But the court could split off a second case involving a challenge to the University of North Carolina’s admissions process, which might allow her to weigh in on the issue.

The final tally of the votes in the Senate chamber set off a jubilant response from Jackson’s supporters, each of whom almost immediately issued statements of congratulations and praise for the jurist.

“Today is a day of great pride and patriotism for our nation, as Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson makes history as the first Black woman to be confirmed to the Supreme Court,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said.  

“During her nomination process, Judge Jackson demonstrated the magnificence of her legal mind, her unyielding commitment to justice and her remarkable poise,” Pelosi continued. “In her appearances before the Judiciary Committee and in meetings with senators, she earned bipartisan recognition of her excellence. On the bench, Judge Jackson will be a relentless defender of individual rights and the rule of law. American families will greatly benefit from her extensive courtroom experience and background as a public defender that she will bring to the court.

“With Judge Jackson’s historic confirmation, our nation takes an important step toward realizing our most cherished ideals. On behalf of the House, we wish her all the best as she continues her devoted public service,” Pelosi said.

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., joined in congratulating Jackson on her confirmation, while also noting its bipartisan nature.

“Not only is she eminently qualified and highly recommended, she makes history as the first Black woman to serve on our nation’s highest bench,” he added. “This is a great day for our country and for our democracy, and I know that our judiciary and people will be strengthened by Judge Jackson’s service, as she will bring both a deep and thorough understanding of the law and lived experiences that will bring new perspectives into the court’s chambers.”

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said he was proud to cast his vote to confirm Jackson to serve on the high court. 

“Judge Jackson’s record and career are exemplary. She has shown tremendous grace through what has been a difficult confirmation process and has proven without a doubt that she has the temperament and credentials to serve on our nation’s highest court. In doing so, she has bravely paved the way so future generations may follow in her footsteps,” Manchin said.

“In addition to her outstanding qualifications, Judge Jackson has a special connection to our beloved state of West Virginia. She shares West Virginians’ deep commitment to public service, love of family and pride of country. While I am under no illusions that I will agree with every vote Justice Jackson casts on the court, I am confident she will make an exceptional jurist,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., reflected on the fact that “for the first time in America’s history, a Black woman will sit on the highest court in our nation’s land.” 

“Like many Americans, I feel immense pride and so much joy at this historic occasion,” he said.

“As Judge Jackson ascends to the U.S. Supreme Court, I see in her the affirmation of our ancestors who suffered the indignities of this country yet sacrificed to bend the moral arc of our nation towards justice,” Booker continued. “They knew that America, though haunted by its past failings, was not bound by them and believed that a day like this would eventually arrive.

“Judge Jackson brings to the court a unique set of experiences. She has clerked at all three levels of the judiciary, including for Justice Stephen Breyer,” he said. “In 2005, she became a public defender, embarking on the noble work that is a cornerstone of our justice system. Since then Judge Jackson has continued to serve our nation, first as vice chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission and then on the federal bench. Her sterling credentials have earned her broad support and this will be the fourth time that the U.S. Senate will confirm her to a role she was nominated for in a bipartisan manner.”

At the American Constitution Society, President Russ Feingold said he and his colleagues were overjoyed by Jackson’s confirmation.

“Throughout the confirmation process, Judge Jackson’s exceptional qualifications, fair-mindedness and unimpeachable record shined through,” Feingold said. 

“We sincerely appreciate the efforts of Sens. [Dick] Durbin, [D-Ill.], [Chuck] Schumer, [D-N.Y.], and others who displayed a steadfast commitment to Senate norms and procedure,” he continued. “After 233 years, the first Black woman and former public defender will soon sit on the Supreme Court, bringing a perspective never before included in the high court’s deliberations. ACS celebrates this historic confirmation and looks forward to Judge Jackson assuming her seat on our highest court later this year.”

Zinelle October, the society’s vice president, said she too was proud to witness “one of the most eminently qualified and talented jurists be confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

“Throughout the country‘s history, our highest court has been occupied by ubiquitously white and male justices with only five women and three people of color ever having been permitted to deliberate on cases that carry significant implications for our constitutional rights and daily lives,” October said. “In order for the court to be seen as legitimate, it must reflect both the personal and professional diversity of our country. As an American, as an attorney, and as a black woman, it is gratifying to finally see someone who looks like me sit on the highest court in the nation.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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