Ebunoluwa Akinola
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Judge Jackson on Thursday, April 7 2022 to the Supreme Court, making her the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.
The Senate voted to confirm Jackson as the 116th justice in U.S. history with a final tally of 53 to 47.
Three Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitt Romney of Utah, joined all 50 Democrats in supporting President Joe Biden’s nominee. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman and first woman of colour to hold the role, presided over the Senate during the vote.
“On this vote, the yays are 53. The nays are 47 and this nomination is confirmed,” Harris said to rousing applause from senators.
Her appointment to the Supreme Court is likely to be one of the highlights of President Biden’s legacy and the first time he has had an opportunity to leave his imprint on the court.
Jackson will not be sworn into office immediately as Justice Stephen Breyer, whose seat she will fill, is expected to retire at the end of this Supreme Court term.
Mr. Biden watched the vote with Jackson in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. After the Senate passed the threshold needed for her confirmation, the two were captured embracing
Mr. Biden watched the vote on the confirmation of Jackson in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. After she was confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Biden hugged Jackson in celebration.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote was a joyous occasion for the Senate, the Supreme Court, and the United States of America.
“Today is one of the brightest lights, and let us hope it’s a metaphor, an indication of many more bright lights to come.”
Meanwhile, Jackson’s nomination approval by the evenly divided Senate capped a confirmation process that was marked by Republican attempts to paint her as a soft-on-crime activist judge who would legislate from the bench.
However, Jackson who will be the second-youngest justice at 51 years old will join the Supreme Court after serving for nearly a year on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, considered the nation’s second most powerful court.
