OFM News: Ketanji Brown Jackson selected as Supreme Court Justice

President Joe Biden has nominated federal appeals court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be the first Black woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court.

Introducing Jackson at the White House, President Biden says, “I believe it’s time that we have a court that reflects the full talents and greatness of our nation.”

If approved, Jackson would be the court’s second Black justice; Clarence Thomas, a conservative, is the other. She would replace retiring liberal  Justice Stephen Beyer and will not sway the court’s 6-3 conservative majority.

The SCOTUS has large landmark decisions underway as it considers abortion rights, voting rights, and affirmative action in college admissions.

In response to her nomination for supreme court justice, Jackson thanks President Biden and says, “I’m humbled by the extraordinary honor of this nomination. If I’m fortunate enough to be confirmed as the next associate justice of the Supreme Court (of the) United States, I can only hope that my life and career, my love of this country and the Constitution, and my commitment to upholding the rule of law and the sacred principles upon which this great nation was founded, will inspire future generations of Americans.”

Her nomination is awaiting confirmation by the Senate, where democrats hold a majority by a 50-50 margin, with Vice President Kamala Harris as the tie breaker. Party leaders have promised swift but deliberate consideration.