On Thursday, April 7th, the Senate voted to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court after significant debate and questioning. This historic appointment makes Jackson the first African-American woman to ever serve on the Supreme Court which many individuals across the country considered a victory for diversity.
Judge Jackson was confirmed with a narrow margin of 53-47 vote, with three Republicans joining all 50 members of the Democratic caucus in supporting her appointment.
When the vote was announced, the chamber erupted in cheers, with senators, staff and visitors all standing on their feet for a standing ovation. A video posted on President Biden’s official Instagram account also shows him and Judge Jackson watching happily together as Vice President Harris announces the confirmation. Jackson is seen crying tears of joy and hugging the President which portrays how significant this decision is for her personal life and her career.
The narrow margin of Jackson’s appointment and the brutal questioning she was subjected to represent the extreme partisan divide plaguing both chambers of American government. In recent years, Supreme Court confirmations have become political fights, featuring combative hearings in which senators of the opposite party aim to tarnish the reputation of the nominee rather than focusing on the important qualifications of the candidate.
Although Judge Jackson will not be officially sworn in for a few more months, she and President Biden appeared at an event today to mark her confirmation and this historic achievement for Biden’s presidency. Jackson was ecstatic about her accomplishment and emphasized how proud she is of the progress the country has made since segregation.
This blog post is part of the CIMA Law Group blog. If you are located in Arizona and are seeking legal services, CIMA Law Group specializes in Immigration Law, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, and Government Relations.
CIMA Law Group Blog 