Photos: Twitter
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson made history today becoming the nation’s first Black female to be confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court by a vote of 53-47–with three Republicans, Mitt Romney (Utah), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) joining the Democrats. Judge Jackson will officially become Justice Jackson after the retirement of Justice Steven Breyer, 83, this summer.
Judge Jackson’s confirmation is now being roundly praised by many as news of the confirmation spreads.
“Judge Jackson’s confirmation was a historic moment for our nation.” Biden tweeted. “We’ve taken another step toward making our highest court reflect the diversity of America. She will be an incredible Justice, and I was honored to share this moment with her.”
President Biden and Judge Jackson celebrate SCOTUS confirmation.
“I am feeling overjoyed,” said Vice-President Kamala Harris, who oversaw the Senate vote. “And I am feeling a deep sense of pride in who we are as a nation.”
“In the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, never, never has a Black woman held the title of justice,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY). “Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the first and I believe the first of more to come.”
NAACP President Derrick Johnson issued the statement below on today’s historic senate confirmation vote:
“Today’s vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court is of enormous consequence to our nation and to history. After 233 years, the Court will finally have a Black woman justice deciding our most significant cases with tremendous impact on our lives and the lives of our families.
“This has taken far too long. Fifty-five years ago, former NAACP Chief Counsel Thurgood Marshall broke down the wall when he was confirmed as the first Black American to sit on the Supreme Court. Today, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson shatters the glass ceiling to finally make room for a Black woman on our nation’s highest court.
Former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall
“Judge Jackson is a breathtakingly qualified candidate to make this history. We joined the nation in beaming with pride as we learned about her background and family. She has impeccable credentials and a brilliant intellect. Her work as a public defender and on the Sentencing Commission will bring a perspective to the Court that has been missing since Thurgood Marshall served. Her impressive record as a trial and appellate jurist makes her one of the most prepared and experienced justices ever appointed to the Court. She has an even-handed approach to the law and is committed to fairness and equal justice. Our Supreme Court will be better and stronger with Judge Jackson’s presence, her votes, and her voice.
“We greet this moment with joy, hope, and gratitude. We thank President Biden for keeping his promise to nominate the first Black woman justice. We thank the Senate for its bipartisan vote to confirm this historic nominee. We extend special gratitude to Senator Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney, who rejected appeals to partisanize this vote and instead, voted their conscience.
“History is watching this moment. The votes to confirm Judge Jackson will recorded as ones in favor of justice and equality. The votes against her will forever be known as hostile and cowardly, as were the attacks by certain Senators throughout this process. The unjust hurdles Black women like Ketanji Brown Jackson face each and every day were regrettably centerstage during her confirmation. But as Black women do, Ketanji Brown Jackson outshined the hate. Today and every day, we celebrate Black women.
“The NAACP remains committed to tearing down the racist obstacles that continue to obstruct paths for far too many Americans, especially Black women, throughout our nation. While we celebrate today, tomorrow we are back at work tackling student debt, voting and reproductive rights, climate change, and police reform, so that everyone in America can realize their dream.”
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after the Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson:
“The confirmation of Justice Jackson is a momentous day for our Constitution and the rule of law, and for young girls everywhere, particularly African American girls. As Sen. Cory Booker recently said, referencing a quote by Maya Angelou, ‘Rise, Judge Jackson, all the way to the highest court in the land.’ Rise she did—to become Justice Jackson, and the American people will be better off because of it.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following statement applauding the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court:
“Today, history was made with the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. As the first Black woman confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Jackson’s position on the Supreme Court will better reflect the diversity and inclusivity of this nation.
“Judge Jackson is the embodiment of the American dream. Her’s is a story of resilience, courage, dignity, and strength — all of which she demonstrated before the world during her confirmation hearings. A passionate defender of justice, she is an inspiration to millions, including Black girls who will see themselves represented on America’s highest court for the first time.
“I congratulate Judge Jackson on her confirmation, and I join millions of Americans throughout the country in celebrating this important and historic moment.”
New York Public Advocate Jumaane Williams issued the following statemen on the confirmation:
“Congratulations to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on her confirmation and historic ascension to the Supreme Court. The history she makes today will be followed and compounded by the decisions she will craft, as her voice helps to define the direction of our country for decades to come.
“This moment will reverberate across our country as young women, and especially young Black women like my two daughters, see the first Black woman on the Supreme Court and feel the importance of her place in history as well as the impact of her place on the bench. Her record of achievement and her resolve in the face of attacks each speak to the powerful, critical role she will play as an eminently qualified and deeply thoughtful addition to the Court.
“While today we celebrate her confirmation, Justice Jackson’s hearings served as another reminder that Black women are held to different and ever-changing standards in our country. The country watched – Black women watched – as Republican senators unleashed their anger, resentment, and bitterness over Justice Kavanaugh’s hearings on Justice Jackson, attempted to malign her unblemished record with outright lies, and ultimately voted against her.
“In spite of this, Justice Jackson was confirmed on the Senate floor on a bipartisan basis, with 53 senators voting to confirm the first Black woman to the Supreme Court – and in the wake of her trailblazing leadership, I hope that what represents a historic first today becomes the norm in the future. With critical issues coming before the Court, and a mandate to move our nation forward, I am eager to see Justice Jackson’s work to, in her own words, make ‘equal justice under the law a reality, not just an ideal.’”
“So many children and generations to come will never know a Supreme Court without a Black woman,” said Keenan Austin Reed, co-founder of the Black Women’s Congressional Alliance. “I am excited about all the students who will now go to law school because of her and for all the brown babies that will be named Ketanji. Judge Jackson’s story is a story of perseverance and I could not be more inspired or proud.”
“Today marks an important new chapter for America’s highest court – one that includes a Black woman,” said Dr. Deborah Turner, board president of the League of Women Voters. “Without a doubt, Judge Jackson’s appointment is a historic confirmation.”
