WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement today after helping the Senate confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court with bipartisan support:
“This is without question a challenging time not only for the Supreme Court but also for our democracy – and it is clear that Judge Jackson has the extensive experience and qualifications, temperament, impartiality and fidelity to the law that will undoubtedly serve our nation exceptionally well,” said Senator Peters. “I was deeply proud to vote for and help confirm Judge Jackson as our next Supreme Court Justice. This is a moment to recognize Judge Jackson as one of our nation’s brightest legal minds and a historic moment in our nation’s history that will ensure the Supreme Court further reflects the diversity of America.”
Peters met last week with Judge Jackson and delivered remarks yesterday on the Senate floor highlighting her exceptional experience, qualifications and support from across the legal spectrum.
Judge Jackson, who will be the first African American woman to serve on our nation’s highest court earned extensive and broad support during her confirmation process, including from prominent conservatives across the legal community, national law enforcement organizations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police, civil rights organizations and the NAACP. The American Bar Association gave her its highest rating of “well qualified.” Judge Jackson was previously confirmed by this Senate three separate times and on a bipartisan basis – most recently last year by this very Senate to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Before her confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Judge Jackson served on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. She was confirmed to the role unanimously and issued more than 500 opinions on cases involving a range of important issues. Jackson additionally has prior experience as a Vice Chair and Commissioner on the U.S. Sentencing Commission, as a federal public defender, as a lawyer in private practice, and as a law clerk at all three levels of the federal Judiciary, including for U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer.
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