Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Photo: MICHAEL REYNOLDS / EFE
Democratic senators hope to move full speed ahead with the confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, after she emerged unscathed from two days of high-profile questioning, according to The Hill.
It is not known how many more of the 50 Democratic votes Jackson will ultimately get in the Senate.
Republicans are skeptical that he will get more than one or two votes from their members, as GOP senators hardened attacks on his nomination during this hearing.
But top Democrats say the Judiciary Committee hearing, which included tense moments in both exchanges with Jackson and exchanges of views between senators, could not derail the candidate and prevent her from being confirmed before April 8, when the Senate is scheduled to take a two-week break.
“It was obvious why the judge’s nomination won the support of everyone from law enforcement, to conservative justices and dozens of colleagues throughout her career. I hope it will reach final confirmation at the end of this work period.” said Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer.
As the final day of questioning for Jackson concluded, Sen. Dick Durbin, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat and committee chairman, announced that he would put Jackson’s nomination on the panel’s agenda for Monday.
This would set a Judiciary Committee vote for April 4.
Several Republican senators on the Judiciary Committee used the first three days of the hearing to grill Jackson at length about his sentences in child pornography-related cases, leading to heated exchanges with the federal judge.
The Judiciary Committee still has one more day for Jackson’s confirmation hearing. Outside witnesses from both sides, as well as from the American Bar Association, will testify Thursday, but Jackson will not be present.
Jackson may be on her way to being confirmed, but there are still questions about how many Republican senators will support her.
Senator Cory Booker moves Judge Jackson during the hearing
Sen. Cory Booker brought Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson to tears Wednesday with an impassioned speech in which he spoke of the plight of African Americans and the efforts of their ancestors that led Booker and Jackson to sit together in the same Senate hearing room.
“You’ve earned this spot,” Booker said. “You are worthy. You are a great American.”
It may interest you:
– What happened on the second day of hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in the Senate
– Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Biden’s Supreme Court Nominee, Withstands GOP Attacks
– Biden nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first African-American female justice on the Supreme Court
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