Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmed to Supreme Court
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was officially confirmed to the Supreme Court by the U.S. Senate on Friday, April 8, after numerous days of confirmation hearings by a vote of 53-47.
Jackson is the first Black woman to be confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
President Joe Biden posted on Instagram, “Today is a good day — a day that history is going to remember.”
“It has taken 232 years,” said Jackson in her speech on the White House lawn, following the confirmation. “And 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. But we’ve made it.”
Jackson was a law clerk for the justice whom she is replacing, Justice Stephen Breyer. Jackson is set to take her spot on the court later in the summer when Breyer officially steps down.
Jackson’s confirmation was considered “bipartisan” according to NPR, with just three Republican senators voting for her placement on the Supreme Court.
Prior to the vote, Sen. Mitt Romney confirmed his support for Jackson saying, “After reviewing Judge Jackson’s record and testimony, I have concluded that she is a well-qualified jurist and a person of honor.”
“While I do not expect to agree with every decision she may make on the Court, I believe that she more than meets the standard of excellence and integrity,” he continued. “I congratulate Judge Jackson on her expected confirmation and look forward to her continued service to our nation.”