The Supreme Court Begins Confirmation Hearing For Ketanji Brown Jackson

 

The Supreme Court Begins Confirmation Hearing For Ketanji Brown Jackson

 

            The confirmation hearing for Ketanji Brown Jackson, a federal judge nominated by President Biden began on Monday. Brown has been nominated to fill the seat of Court Justice Stephen Breyer who is set to retire this summer. For the past two days, Judge Jackson has faced questioning from senators regarding her sentencing patterns, abortion and critical race theory.

 

            Jackson, who currently serves as a judge on the U.S Circuit Court of Appeals stated that she believes it is a woman's constitutional right to get an abortion. She also discussed how her family has a history in law enforcement and how that influences her. Texas Republican Senator felt it was his do diligence to question the judge on her stance on critical race theory. He presented a number of children's books that are supposedly being used at a private school in Washington D.C. where Jackson serves on the board. Cruz asked if she knew that the books were being used. Jackson replied that she did not know the schools curriculum in complete detail.

 

            Other senators grilled Jackson on some of her lenient sentencing regarding defendants in child pornography cases. Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri pointed out one case in particular where guidelines suggest 97 to 121 months in prison. Jackson gave the defendant 3 months even when prosecutors asked for 24 months. N.J. Senator Cory Booker came to her defense stating that Jackson is a mother of two children and would never judge inappropriately on such a heinous crime.

 

            If Jackson is nominated, she would become the first black woman ever to serve in the 233 years history of the Supreme Court.