Celebrating Judge Jackson’s Historic and Bipartisan Confirmation

Yesterday, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed as the 116th Supreme Court justice – with bipartisan support. History, made! We are overjoyed by Judge Jackson’s confirmation and look forward to her assuming her seat on the Court later this year. Throughout the confirmation process, her exceptional qualifications, fair-mindedness, and unimpeachable record shined through. As the first Black woman and former public defender to serve on our highest court, Judge Jackson will bring a perspective never before included in the court's deliberations, including on how the law and the court’s decisions impact people’s lives. Moreover, her historic confirmation is an important and long-overdue step towards achieving a Court that reflects the diversity of the public it serves.

I want to applaud all the tremendous work put in by our network in support of Judge Jackson. For everyone who recruited support for Judge Jackson from colleagues and community members, who spoke up about the Court, and who joined letters of support themselves, thank you. The resounding support from the legal community was particularly important in a confirmation process that witnessed unabashedly distorted and racist attacks on Judge Jackson, her experience, and her record. We are grateful for everyone’s work to correct the record and to amplify Judge Jackson’s exceptional qualifications. A joyous and historic week this is!

I encourage everyone to take time to celebrate this achievement. This was not an easy confirmation process and many devoted long hours to it over the past few weeks. As Judge Jackson said herself during her public hearing, she is standing on the shoulders of generations who never had this opportunity. Yesterday’s vote was 233 years in the making. Embrace this joyous and historic moment, as we all look forward to Judge Jackson being sworn in as the next associate justice of our highest court later this year.

This confirmation process underscored what we all know: courts matter – from the Supreme Court to state courts. In this spirit, we are continuing our Path to the Bench work, determined to help get as many federal judges confirmed this year as possible. I appreciate the Biden administration, and Senators Schumer and Durbin for their steadfast commitment in prioritizing federal courts.

I also want to encourage everyone to check out this week’s Broken Law podcast episode, which features ACS Vice President for Strategic Engagement Jill Dash’s conversation with North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice Anita Earls about state courts and the growing politicization of state judgeship races. And make a note to check out next Tuesday’s episode for a celebration of Judge Jackson’s historic and bipartisan confirmation.