Celebrating The Confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson To The Supreme Court

The Senate just confirmed President Biden's Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson in a historic vote that paves the way for her to become the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in the nation.

The final confirmation vote required only a simple majority. The tally was 53 to 47 with Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining with Democrats to vote in favor of Jackson. Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the historic vote.

Harris, who is the first Black woman to serve as vice president, presided over the Senate during the historic vote in her capacity as president of the Senate.

After the gavel struck down, Democratic senators could be seen clapping and giving a standing ovation. Jackson’s confirmation won’t change the ideological balance of the court.

But the confirmation marks a significant historic milestone for the Supreme Court and the federal judiciary. It also represents a victory for Democrats, that they can tout as bipartisan, and a way for the President to deliver on a campaign promise at a time when the US faces a number of challenges at home and abroad, including soaring inflation and the crisis in Ukraine.

People For the American Way President Ben Jealous released the following statement:

“Words can only partly express the soul-deep joy we feel in this moment. The confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who will be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, caps so many years of striving and struggle by Black women persevering in the fight for an equal voice in our society. The future Justice Jackson is a person of matchless credentials and a demonstrated commitment to civil rights and the Constitution, who is poised to shatter one of our country’s oldest glass ceilings. As the grandson of a Black woman who fought for civil rights throughout the twentieth century and the father of a Black daughter who sees a new day dawning for her generation, I could not be more proud.”

Statement of leaders of MomsRising, the online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on U.S. Senate confirmation of soon-to-be Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson:

“America’s moms are cheering the bipartisan U.S. Senate confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve as an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. This is a historic, meaningful moment that will make our highest court more reflective of our country’s rich diversity, more fair, and more just. We welcome Jackson’s unwavering commitment to equal justice for all as the U.S. Supreme Court adjudicates issues that will shape our lives, including health care, privacy, voting rights, discrimination, policing, and more.”

-Statement of Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and CEO, MomsRising

“Judge Jackson’s credentials are exemplary, her record is extraordinary, and her experience and perspective will make the court stronger. President Biden deserves credit for making a brilliant choice. And while she had nothing to prove, Judge Jackson acquitted herself magnificently when some Republican Senators disgraced themselves with baseless, dishonest attacks during her Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing. U.S. Senate confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson makes this a great day for our nation!”

-Statement of Namatie Mansaray, Senior Director for Workplace Justice, MomsRising