Confirmation hearings begin this week for Ketanji Brown Jackson, who President Biden nominated to the Supreme Court earlier this year.
The three-day hearing process begins in the Senate on Monday with opening statements, followed by two days of questioning.
Jackson is currently a judge on the D.C. U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where she has served since 2021. Prior to joining the D.C. Circuit, she had served eight years on the D.C. federal trial court.
If confirmed, Jackson would be the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. She would also become the fourth woman justice on the current bench.
CNN reports that senators on both sides of the aisle have praised Jackson’s record as “impressive,” with Democrats showing support for her nomination.
Speaking on the Senate floor last week, Dick Durbin (D-IL) of the Judiciary Committee said that Monday would be “an historic moment,” and that Jackson’s qualifications made her “exceptional,” according to CNN. “In every role she’s held, she has earned a reputation for thoughtfulness, evenhandedness, and collegiality,” he added.
Republicans, however, while offering praise to Jackson specifically, have criticized her indirectly, NPR reports. In remarks made last week, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) warned that “the soft on crime brigade is squarely in Judge Jackson’s corner” amid rising crime rates.
Biden nominated Jackson in February, to fill the vacancy left by retiring Justice Stephen Breyer. While campaigning for the presidency, Biden had promised to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court.
“For too long, our government, our courts haven’t looked like America,” Biden said in remarks made following Jackson’s nomination. “I believe it’s time that we have a court [that] reflects the full talents and greatness of our nation with a nominee of extraordinary qualifications, and that we inspire all young people to believe that they can one day serve their country at the highest level.”
