Jackson was confirmed by a 53-47 vote in the Senate, with three Republicans uniting with all Democratic senators in favor of her candidacy. Here is a closer look at what her candidacy means.

What does Jackson bring to the bench?

Jackson once worked as a legal clerk for Judge Stephen Breyer – who she will eventually replace – after graduating from Harvard Law School. He served as a public defender and served in the service that helps develop federal sentencing policy, before being confirmed by the Senate as a federal district court judge in 2013 and last year as a federal appeals judge. During the Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Democrats used a chart that shows Jackson responds positively, in terms of experience, to recent judges. Members of the Black House of Representatives speak after the successful confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson on Thursday at the Capitol. (Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty Images)
“She is one of the most qualified Supreme Court candidates I have ever considered in my 48 years here,” said Sen. Pat Leahy, the longest-serving Democratic senator in the House on Thursday. While conservatives in the Senate, such as Mitch McConnell, have nominated her as a “radical left” candidate, retired federal Judge Thomas Griffith, appointed by George W. Bush, testified last month that Jackson was an independent who judges on the basis of facts and the law, and not as a party member “.

How were the hearings?

Gone are the days when Antonin Scalia could be confirmed with 98-0 (1986), or even 13 years ago, when referee Sonia Sotomayor confirmed with a comfortable 68-31. The Supreme Court has a huge influence on the outlines of US public policy, arguably more so now that Congress is often polarized and unable to reach a bipartisan agreement on many important issues (for example, comprehensive immigration reform). Senators are increasingly afraid of the electoral consequences of going “against” their party to a judicial candidate. CLOCKS Some highlights from the confirmation hearings:

Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson cast by senators

Ketanji Brown Jackson, nominated by US President Joe Biden in the Supreme Court, faced her first day of questioning by senators. Jackson, who if confirmed would become the first black woman to appear in court, answered questions about her court records and conviction. 2:05
Although not as explosive as the confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas (1991) and Brett Kavanaugh (2018) – both of whom were accused of sexual harassment – Jackson’s hearings were quite controversial. Republicans have sought to portray Jackson as soft on crime by examining forensic sentences in cases involving children accused of child pornography. Democratic Sen. Corey Booker called the offensive line “beyond the pale” and his party has accused Republicans of cherry picking cases and that they do not focus on a comprehensive conviction history according to the convictions of even some Republican-appointed federal judges. In addition, Jackson’s candidacy had the support of the National Brotherhood of Police.

What does its confirmation represent?

Jackson is just the third black judge and the sixth female justice overall. The vast majority of the 116 judges in American history were white men of European descent and largely Protestants in terms of religious belief. A recent Reuters report highlighted the gradual improvement in recent years in the proportion of U.S. law school graduates who are non-white, but black students are underrepresented in law school compared to the proportion of African Americans in the population. USA. A supporter of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson holds a sign while attending a rally near the US Capitol on March 22. (Michael A. McCoy / Reuters)
“I’m sure there will be more people who did not see themselves included in the law, who will look at Deputy Judge Jackson and be inspired to pursue their dream of becoming law students,” Rutgers, dean of law, told Reuters. , Kimberly Matserson. The impact of this historic confirmation could transcend borders and “set a stunning example for many women and many young girls here in Canada,” Gemma Gray-Hall, an Ontario provincial candidate, told CBC News recently. Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, stated in 2020 that “there is a growing awareness of the need for our courts, including our Supreme Court, to reflect the diversity of Canadians. I would definitely welcome the ideas and perspectives that this could bring. “ The historic appointment of Mahmoud Jamal, who is Indo-Canadian, soon followed, and another seat on Canada’s Supreme Court will be filled this year due to the retirement of Judge Michael Moldavar.

What happens after confirmation?

Jackson will probably not be sworn in until the summer, as Breyer will see that his current term ends in June. It will have to decide very soon if it will remain in its current federal position until then. There is no term limit in the positions of the Supreme Court. Judge William O. Douglas served a record of more than 36 years (until 1975). Jackson will not affect the balance of the court, as six judges were nominated by Republican presidents and three by Democrats. The judges of the US Supreme Court are seen in a group photo on April 23, 2021. Judge Stephen Breyer, second from the right in the front row, is in his final weeks in the Supreme Court. (Erin Schaff / Reuters)
With recent Republican nominees nominated and controlled by conservative federal society, liberal legal advocates are worried about a possible setback in abortion and gay rights for gay and non-gay vis-.-vis the federal executive. in policy matters. Jackson’s first term will begin on October 3. Cases for this term so far include cases related to the powers of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Trade Commission, voting rights and a case that contrasts religious and LGBTQ rights, after a web designer refused to provide professional of services to a gay couple. Jackson said she intends to drop out of a Harvard admissions process as she attends a university policy council there.

What about future court choices?

He was the first Supreme Court nominee for President Joe Biden. Will it be the last? Judges leave only with retirement or death, a state of affairs that is considered undesirable by many legal experts, some of whom have suggested that there should be a fluctuating number of judges to remove any partisan pressure that judges may have to give their position. them to a younger person. Clarence Thomas, almost 74 years old, will be the oldest judge after Breyer’s retirement. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham made it clear this week that the White House could face a difficult path for future candidates after November, when congressional by-elections are held. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, seen March 23, was among Republicans who argued that Jackson was not a moderate candidate. Graham promised that if his party regained control of the Senate after November, the process for the White House appointments could become more difficult. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
“If we go back to the Senate, and we are responsible for this body, and there are judicial openings, we will talk to our colleagues on the other side. But if we were responsible, [Jackson] “He would not be on this committee,” Graham said. “You would have someone more modest than that.” So far, Biden’s nominations have led to Senate confirmation of 15 federal judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals and 43 judges for federal district courts, a rate that is considered the most productive for a first term after Ronald Reagan. For Democrats, Graham’s comments are similar to what they saw as a Republican obstruction in 2016, when the party refused to hold hearings on President Barack Obama’s last Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, who is now a general. McConnell, then leader of the Senate majority, argued that “the American people must have a say in the direction of the Court” in the upcoming elections. Republicans swept the election, with President Donald Trump finally selecting three Conservative judges for the current 6-3 inclination.