After the Senate Judiciary Committee deadlocked on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court on Monday in a split eleven-to-eleven partisan vote, the Senate chamber advanced her candidacy 53–47 Monday evening in a subsequent vote.
A simple majority of 51 votes was needed to advance her nomination, which Jackson garnered after Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitt Romney pledged their support, cementing a likely bipartisan confirmation.
Given that the balance of power between Republicans and Democrats is evenly divided in the Senate, Jackson’s prospects have been encumbered by a political tug-of-war, especially since both parties have the same number of seats on every committee. For the last two weeks, some GOP members on the committee have hammered Jackson on her record of perceived leniency on child-pornography cases during her hearings.
Democratic Senator Durbin spoke before the first vote Monday, “It’s the first time that the committee has had the opportunity to advance the nomination of a black woman to sit on the Supreme Court,” the Wall Street Journal noted.
“They repeated discredited claims about Judge Jackson’s record,” Durbin said. “They impugned her motives and questioned her candor.”
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley acknowledged Jackson’s impressive credentials and experience, adding that Democrats “should be very proud of her achievements,” but he ultimately said he would refuse to vote for her because of objections to her progressive judicial philosophy.
“When interpreting the law and Constitution, understanding the principle of limited government is essential. Otherwise, there would be no checks on the federal government,” he said.
After the Senate approved Jackson Monday night, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will now arrange a procedural floor vote for Thursday. Jackson’s final confirmation vote will be held either Thursday or Friday, both requiring only 51 “yeas” to succeed.