Photo Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP
Ketanji Brown Jackson Becomes First Black Woman On Supreme Court
On Thursday, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson became the first Black woman on the Supreme Court after being voted in 53 to 47 from the Senate.
Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson is now the first Black woman to sit on the highest court in the U.S. On Thursday, Jackson received full support from Democrats on the Senate — along with three Republicans, senators Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — to appoint her as new Supreme Court judge.
"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," Romney tweeted on Monday.
On confirmation day, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke Brown's praises after presiding over the historic vote.
“It’s an extraordinary day and I think it’s a very important statement today about who we are as a nation that we put Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on the highest court of our land. So let us all I think rejoice,” Harris said.
“Even in the darkest times, there are bright lights,” majority leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor. “Today is one of the brightest lights. Let us hope it’s a metaphor, an indication of many bright lights to come.”
Jackson and President Joe Biden also embraced in the Roosevelt Room as the new Supreme Court judge received the confirmation vote. Prior to Jackson being appointed, Biden called for the nomination of a Black woman to the Supreme Court following the retirement of current Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. In February, Biden confirmed that Jackson had his vote.
\u201cI sought a nominee with the strongest credentials, record, character, and dedication to the rule of law. That\u2019s why I\u2019m excited to nominate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the United States Supreme Court.\u201d— President Biden (@President Biden) 1645809705
Jackson will be sworn in once Justice Stephen Breyer retires sometime in the summer, according to The New York Times. On Friday, President Biden will deliver his remarks on Jackson's vote at 12:15 PM ET on the South Lawn of the White House.
