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What You Need to Know:
“Judge Jackson has been scrutinized more than any person I can think of. This is her fourth time before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The three previous times she came through with flying colors and bipartisan support.”
-Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee
History will be made today as the first Black woman, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, sits before the Senate Judiciary Committee, moving closer to confirmation as Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. As promised, President Joe Biden nominated a Black woman to fill the first opening on the highest court of the land. Several weeks after Justice Stephen Breyer confirmed his retirement, Mr. Biden nominated the current federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
In the 230-plus years since the U.S. Supreme Court was established, some 115 people have served on the court. Of that 115, 108 justices were White men. Five judges were women, Sandra Day O’Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagen and Amy Coney Barrett. Two are Black men, Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas. In her first day of confirmation hearings, a Black woman will not only potentially put a different face on the Supreme Court, but will also make it look more like America.
While it will look different, Madame Jackson’s presence won’t likely change the balance of today’s Supreme Court. But if history is any indication, Jackson will likely be the author of dissents studied by law students for generations.
The road for this 51-year old wife and mother of two young women has not been easy, but her position today is one to which many aspire. This is a life and career, that if she were a White man or woman, Republican politicians would trip all over themselves to provide superlative upon superlative in support of her nomination and confirmation.
Unfortunately, members of today’s Republican party are searching for ways to discredit Judge Jackson. Analysts have noted hedging by Republican Senators Murkowski (AK), Collins (Maine) and Graham (SC), after voting last year to put Jackson on the federal appellate court.
Why You Need to Know:
Call your two U.S. Senators to make your voices heard on this confirmation. The U.S. Capitol switchboard number: 202-224-3121
This is also a link to the individual offices of U.S. Senators.
Supporters of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, from the White House to the homes on our streets, can’t let up. Support Judge Jackson as strongly as those who oppose her, such as the dangerous lies made by Missouri Senator Josh Harley (R) or the Fox News host, when he couldn’t demand her birth certificate, asked to see her law school aptitude test or LSAT.
Judge Jackson’s first confirmation hearing day is bigger than a chapter in future history books. This journey to the swearing-in of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson will live in the minds, hearts and life plans of the future Ketanji Browns forever.
(SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS)
