Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Statement Regarding the Confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick released the following statement regarding the Senate confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson:

“Today history was made. Last week, the Senate and country saw just how qualified Judge Jackson is for the Supreme Court. In her confirmation hearing, the breadth and depth of Judge Jackson’s legal career working at all levels of the justice system was on display. We heard about her nearly ten years as a judge, where she wrote more than 570 opinions.

“Judge Jackson’s record demonstrates that she is a fair and impartial judge that follows the facts and the law. Judge Jackson’s nomination has also received support from a broad range of legal experts – including 500 law professors, 100 general counsels, and attorneys-general of both parties from 40 states and territories.

“Some tried to mischaracterize Judge Jackson’s sentencing record, but the facts were clear: she sentenced more than 100 defendants proportionally to the crime they committed and in line with other judges. That’s why she had the clear support of the law enforcement community, from the Fraternal Order of Police to the International Association of Chiefs of Police to many prominent law enforcement leaders and former US Attorneys from around the country.

“In recent weeks, Judge Jackson met with 45 Senators from both sides of the aisle, including every Member of the Judiciary Committee before the hearing. Today, the Senate made history by voting for Judge Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.  Judge Jackson is a brilliant legal mind with the utmost character and integrity.

“She will make an exceptional Supreme Court Justice and has made history as the first Black woman on the highest court. I am pleased that not only have all Democratic Senators pledged to vote in her favor, but so have three Republicans: Senators Collins, Murkowski and Romney. While they may not agree with every ruling she makes, they reviewed her record and determined her to be a fair, impartial and mainstream judge.

“Lastly, today’s Senate may be slightly more diverse, but not for women who look like me. There are no Black women in the Senate. That must change so that the tone in the Senate changes from what we all saw on display last week to one of true inclusion, respect and dignity for all who come before Senate committees and engage in Senate business. Memo to young sisters: What we saw was not OK. We must work to make sure that your generation never has to endure such a disgraceful process again.”

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