Durbin Statement on the Successful Discharge Vote for Ketanji Brown Jackson, Nominated to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate voted to discharge Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, nominated to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, from the Senate Judiciary Committee by a bipartisan vote of 53-47. Ahead of her discharge vote on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke in support of Judge Jackson.  

Key Durbin quotes:

“In the coming days, Judge Jackson’s nomination will come before the full Senate. And we are on track to confirm her by the end of this week.”

“Judge Jackson is an outstanding nominee. She has earned support across the political and ideological spectrum. And her qualifications are second to none. Perhaps most importantly, Judge Jackson’s record on the bench is one of evenhandedness. Yet despite this, not a single Republican on the Judiciary Committee voted in favor of her nomination.”

“Judge Jackson has been unanimously supported by Senate Republicans—she was confirmed unanimously by the Senate not once, but twice—to be a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission and a district court judge.”

“Judge Jackson has the temperament, the acumen, the skill, and the kind of attributes we demand from a Supreme Court nominee. She has devoted her life to serving our country and will always work to uphold the Constitution.”

“She is dedicated to protecting judicial independence, to advancing freedom and liberty, and to making the Court, its work, and its decisions accessible to all Americans.” 

“I proudly cast my vote to discharge Judge Jackson from the Judiciary Committee. And later this week, I will proudly cast my vote to confirm Judge Jackson as the first Black woman to sit on the United States Supreme Court.”

Earlier today, Judge Jackson’s nomination advanced out of Committee by a vote of 11-11. Under the provisions of S. Res. 27, Leader Schumer had to file a discharge motion on Judge Jackson’s nomination to place her on the executive calendar.

 Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

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