Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court a Victory for the American People
Statement of Common Cause President Karen Hobert Flynn
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court is a victory for the American people at a time when our democracy is under siege. Soon-to-be Justice Jackson has demonstrated a longstanding and unwavering commitment to justice for all Americans. That commitment will be crucial as it has increasingly fallen to the courts to serve as a bulwark to our democracy at a time when too many politicians are passing laws to make it harder for certain Americans – particularly Black and Brown Americans – to vote and to be heard by those in power.
Judge Jackson also brings new experiences to a Court that will now look a little bit more like the population of the nation it serves. With her extensive professional and lived experience, she will bring new perspectives as the first Black woman and the first former public defender ever to serve on the Court. Judge Jackson has been previously confirmed to federal benches with bipartisan support, and the American Bar Association found her “unanimously well qualified” to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. Her outstanding qualifications will help bolster public confidence in the High Court and by extension our democracy.
And make no mistake, this is a Court very much in need of repairing its reputation. Public confidence in the Supreme Court was at a historic low even before the scandal arose concerning conflicts of interest for Justice Thomas stemming from his wife’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Every single senator should have voted for her confirmation. We commend the Democratic senators who voted to confirm her, as well as Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mitt Romney (R-UT) who recognized and acknowledged Judge Jackson’s qualifications to serve on the nation’s highest court and voted to confirm her. It is unfortunate, though, that several of their Republican colleagues chose to launch baseless and deceptive attacks – many ringing of racism and extreme right-wing conspiracy theories – against Judge Jackson during her confirmation hearing. Those senators demeaned the Senate and this solemn process but did nothing to undermine Judge Jackson’s credibility or her qualifications. Her confirmation is historic, and her experiences will broaden the perspective of a Court that will now better reflect the diversity and experiences of all Americans.
To read both letters Common Cause sent to Senators urging the confirmation of Judge Jackson, click here, and here.