The Senate on Thursday confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson in the Supreme Court, making her the first black woman and former public defender to serve on the country’s highest court.
Jackson, 51, was confirmed by 53-47 votes. Every Democrat, including three Republicans, voted for him: Sense Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Susan Collins (Maine) and Mitt Romney (Utah). When the vote was over, the Senate Chamber burst into cheers and applause.
Jackson’s confirmation seals a promise from President Joe Biden, who promised to nominate a black woman for the Supreme Court.
With Jackson on the court, white men will not be the majority of judges for the first time.
It is difficult to overemphasize the extent to which white men have controlled American history in court. Since the Supreme Court was established in 1789, 108 out of 115 judges There have been white men.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic member of the court, who spoke on the benefits of diversity on the bench, said: “A different perspective can allow you to fully understand the arguments before you and help you clarify your position in a way that everyone understands. ”
Ahead of Jackson’s vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) said, “In the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, at times, a black woman has never held the title of ‘Judge.'” We are always on the path to a more perfect union. Nevertheless, America is taking a huge step today to make our union more perfect. “
In another historic moment, Vice President Kamala Harris, the first black woman to hold the post, presided over Jackson’s confirmation vote.
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Jackson, who has been a federal judge for nearly a decade and has an exceptional resume, has endured ridiculous and ugly attacks by Republicans during the confirmation process. This is despite the fact that most of these GOP senators have previously voted to confirm him one, two or even three times before another judge or the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
Several have falsely accused him of knowing that, although they are treating child sex offenders as judges, His record is good in the mainstream. They ridiculed her for refusing to define a “woman” during her confirmation hearing – an attempt to bait her into the controversial debate about transgender people – although Those same Republicans flailed When asked by Halfpost how they would define “a woman”.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arch.) Falsely claims that Jackson likes to help terrorists, and he says he Protected the Nazis Nuremberg. The echo of his irrational jump a The GOP theme is on Jackson’s tenure As a public defender representing Guantanamo Bay detainees accused of terrorism. As a public defender, Jackson did not pick his clients.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) slammed an anti-apartheid children’s book into whether Jackson was considered a “child racist” when he tried to tie him to the GOP’s misleading attack on an academic discipline known as Critical Racism Theory. (Cruise’s attempt to smear that book was over It has been ranked No. 1 bestseller on Amazon.)
But Jackson navigated his hearing with grace and restraint, even as some of his toughest GOP critics admit they were influenced by him. Across the country he had staunch defenders who were hearing and even glued Went to the Supreme Court to rally in support.
Towards the end of Jackson’s full two-day grill by the Senate Judiciary Committee, the only black member of the panel, Sen. Corey Booker (DN.J.), delivered an incredible speech that broke down in tears. The “joy” that his critics can’t get from him is because he sees Jackson make history on the court.
“I’m not letting anyone in the Senate steal my joy,” Booker insisted.
“You’re a person who is much more than your race and gender,” he told Jackson. “You have achieved this. You deserve it. You’re a great American … you’re here. And I know what it’s like to be in that seat. “
Booker says Harriet Tubman has long been his “shelter of hope” and now, so is Jackson.
“This country is getting better and better,” he said. “I am just happy when that final vote is taken, and you go to the Supreme Court of the country. And I’m going to tell you right now: The greatest country in the world, the United States, will get better because of you. “
