On Thursday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Jackson will become the first Black woman and public defender to serve in 233 years.
“Judge Brown Jackson has raised the bar in terms of qualifications for the Supreme Court—greatly raising our country’s expectations for who should sit on our courts,” Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change, said. “Her perspective as a public defender has long been missing from the Court and denied influence across the judiciary, as has her real-world experience addressing racial injustices in sentencing. We must remember and redouble our commitment to redefining the role of judges and prosecutors across our country—to ensure they serve the people rather than serving corrupt interests and ensure they end racial injustice rather than exacerbating it.”
Jackson was confirmed on a 53-to-47 vote and will replace Justice Stephen Breyer, who is retiring at the end of the court’s session this summer. She graduated from Harvard University and then attended Harvard Law School, according to The White House. Her most recent position was as a D.C. Circuit Judge
“Today is a day to celebrate the historic confirmation of Justice Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court and recognize this tremendous step forward in ensuring that our nation’s highest court looks more like the people it serves,” Abigail Dillen, president of Earthjustice, said. “The Supreme Court is at the center of some of the biggest challenges facing our nation, and Justice Jackson’s exemplary qualifications, judicial temperament, and lived experiences as a Black woman will greatly benefit the court and our nation.”
Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah voted with Democrats to confirm Judge Jackson.
“Judge Jackson has proven through the confirmation process that she is not only immensely qualified to serve on the Supreme Court, but that she is committed to fairness and equal justice under the law,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said. “I was proud to vote to confirm Judge Jackson today.”
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