Ketanji Brown Jackson’s SCOTUS Nomination Proceeds To The Senate Floor

Earlier today, SCOTUS nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson faced a deadlocked committee vote of 11-11.

Since that time, the Senate has voted to discharge Jackson, by a vote of 53-47. This means that the committee deliberations are over, and that her nomination will be slated for a vote sometime this week.

Brown faced sharp criticism from GOP members, who cited her soft stance on crime—particularly towards pedophiles.

Rep. Andy Biggs cites one case where a perpetrator in possession of child pornography was given a sentence of only 3 months—roughly 40 times below the recommended sentencing requirement.

Several Republicans have also voiced support for Jackson, including Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski, and it appears that she will likely be nominated to the court.

Here are the latest developments:

The Senate voted to discharge the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court out of the judiciary committee, 53-47. Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney joined Democrats to discharge her nomination. https://t.co/rHgNC5t2cT pic.twitter.com/b0xXms4zKY

— The Hill (@thehill) April 4, 2022

BREAKING: Senate Judiciary Committee deadlocks 11-11 on Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination.

Call your senators to tell them NO on the discharge and NO on confirmation.

— Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) April 4, 2022

According to The Epoch Times:

In his opening statement, ranking Republican member Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) accused Democrats of hypocrisy over the issue of a nominee’s judicial philosophy.

During the week of hearings, Republicans pushed Jackson to elaborate on her judicial philosophy, but her answers—which described a “methodology” that would work on a case-by-case basis—left Republicans dissatisfied and confused some Democrats.

 

No area of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s record is more troubling than her record on crime. pic.twitter.com/nSmmXXL5mG

— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) April 4, 2022

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson once told a man convicted of possession and distribution of child pornography she didn’t think he posed any risk to children.

She sentenced him to only 3 months in jail and he later reoffended after his release. pic.twitter.com/K9U5vIwPW1

— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) April 4, 2022

NBC News reports:

In a statement published on Twitter, Romney said Jackson is a “well-qualified jurist and a person of honor” who “more than meets the standard of excellence and integrity.”

Monday night’s vote means Jackson is all but guaranteed to be confirmed to a lifetime appointment as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court. The outcome reflects what is likely to be the final tally for her confirmation vote, which is expected later in the week.