From the moment President Biden announced the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court on Friday, it was clear that the most strident interest groups on the Left, including the dark-money groups that spent over $1 billion to elect Biden and Senate Democrats, had gotten their pick. They wasted no time applauding the nomination with unequivocal endorsements, reflecting what Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called “loyal and intense support for some of the very same dark-money, far-left activists who declared war on the institution of the Court itself.”
Here is a sampling of reactions to the announcement:
“Send your senators a message now urging them to support and swiftly confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court, so that her unique wisdom and perspective can be included in the important cases currently before the Court, including reproductive rights and the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gasses.”
Ben Jealous, president of People for the American Way
“We are overjoyed by this nomination; now the Senate needs to move quickly to confirm her.”
Russ Feingold, president of the American Constitution Society
“We look forward to heralding Judge Jackson’s impact and contribution to the Court and to our country for years to come.”
Rakim H.D. Brooks, president of the Alliance for Justice
“As we continue to form our more perfect union, we cannot underestimate the significance of entrusting a Black woman with the responsibility of safeguarding the Constitution for all Americans into the future. We look forward to a swift confirmation process so we can soon say the words ‘Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.’”
Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
“We look to Judge Jackson to be a bulwark against the Court’s ultra-conservative majority, who seem set on redefining religious freedom as a sword to harm others instead of a shield to protect all of us. We deserve a justice who will defend our country’s foundational principle of separation of religion and government like our democracy depends on it—because it does.”
Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
“President Biden’s historic nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is cause for celebration.”
Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America
“Now more than ever, we need a Supreme Court justice who understands the impact of the court’s rulings on people—particularly on reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights . . . .”
“Her presence and voice on the Court will undoubtedly enrich its perspective and improve its decision-making.” (#BlackWomenAreSupreme announcement)
Gene Karpinski, president of the League of Conservation Voters
“We look forward to the Senate swiftly confirming Jackson while simultaneously addressing massive challenges and transformational opportunities for our environment, democracy, and lower courts.”
Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress
“Her nomination comes at a critical time, as a right-wing majority has hijacked the court to gut federal voting rights protections, undermine labor unions, and very likely overturn abortion rights that have stood for half a century. This extremist majority is also poised to end affirmative action in college admissions, limit what the federal government can do to curb climate change, and further erode the separation between church and state. It’s time to end this conservative judicial activism run amuck.”
Sarah Lipton-Lubet, executive director of Take Back the Court Action Fund
“With reproductive rights, climate action, and the future of our democracy all on the line, there is no better time for Judge Jackson to make her voice heard on the Court.”
“[F]or decades, we’ve been forced to face the consequences of the decisions made by a mostly all-white, male Supreme Court. . . . White supremacy never shies away—but winning despite a system that is rigged against us is what we’ve always done. We are calling for a swift confirmation process in the Senate.”
Cecile Richards, co-chair of American Bridge
“Bursting with tears of joy! Here’s to soon to be SCOTUS Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson”
Mini Timmaraju, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America
“This is a phenomenal and overdue milestone. . . . Judge Jackson . . . has a demonstrated record of defending and upholding our constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms—including reproductive freedom. We are confident that she will be a voice for justice, equity, and freedom on the Court in the decades to come. We urge the Senate to swiftly confirm Judge Jackson.”
Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible
“We’re fired up and ready to see her make history.”
“Judge Jackson will be an invaluable voice on our highest court.”
Brian Fallon, executive director of Demand Justice
“Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is a slam-dunk pick for the Supreme Court.”