History in the making!
The Senate on Thursday, April 7, 2022 confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the next Supreme Court, making her the 116th justice — and the first Black woman — to serve on the top U.S. court.
The 53-47 final vote tally showed bipartisan support for Jackson, with three Republicans joining all Democrats to elevate the 51-year-old federal judge to a lifetime appointment on the high court.
Ketanji Brown Jackson is President Joe Biden’s first Supreme Court nominee during his term. She will replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, 83, who was confirmed to the bench in 1994.
Our Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman ever to hold that title, presided over the vote to confirm Jackson. Harris appeared to momentarily choke up with emotion as she read out the vote result, which drew a swell of applause and cheering from the Senate floor.
Take Note Just five women — Sandra Day O’Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett — have served on the Supreme Court. Only two Black men, Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas, have ever been appointed to the bench. No Black women have previously sat on the high court.
“Judge Jackson’s confirmation was a historic moment for our nation,” Biden said in a tweet after the vote. “We’ve taken another step toward making our highest court reflect the diversity of America. She will be an incredible Justice, and I was honored to share this moment with her.”
Ketanji Brown Jackson will now join the ranks with all the other current and past justices.
