VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Peters Highlights Support for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today delivered remarks on the Senate floor in support of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to be an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Peters met last week with Judge Jackson and during his remarks today, Peters highlighted her exceptional experience, qualifications and support from across the legal spectrum.

“After my one-on-one meeting with Judge Jackson last week, I was convinced she is extraordinarily qualified and prepared to serve on the Supreme Court, particularly in this moment,” said Senator Peters. “During this process, Judge Jackson has not only earned bipartisan support for her confirmation but has the backing of diverse voices – including from the American Bar Association, which unanimously gave her its highest rating of ‘well qualified.’ Lawyers across the political spectrum, civil rights organizations, law enforcement groups, and chambers of commerce have all offered not just support but glowing support for her nomination.”

To watch video of Senator Peters’ remarks on the Senate floor, click here.

As the first African American woman nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Jackson’s nomination is historic – and has received extensive and broad support, including 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. Jackson was previously confirmed by this Senate three separate times and on a bipartisan basis – most recently last year to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals.

“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, the temperament, and impartiality and fidelity to the law that will undoubtedly serve our nation exceptionally well,” continued Senator Peters. “I am proud to support Judge Jackson as our next Supreme Court Justice and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in making history.”

Before her confirmation to the D.C. Circuit, Judge Jackson served on the United States 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.

Below are Senator Peters’ remarks, as prepared for delivery:

“I rise in support of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to be an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States and look forward to proudly voting for her confirmation.

“There are few Constitutional duties more important in my role as a U.S. senator than providing advice and consent on judicial nominations, and this is especially true for the Supreme Court. As we consider Judge Jackson’s nomination before this body, we are on the cusp of a historic, barrier-breaking moment – and on the verge of confirming the first African American woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

“This is not only a significant milestone, but a moment to recognize Judge Jackson, who is one of our nation’s brightest legal minds and an incredibly impressive nominee.

“Before I talk about Judge Jackson’s exceptional experience, qualifications and support from across the legal spectrum, it’s important to reflect on the critical importance of our nation’s highest court. Without question, Supreme Court rulings have a direct and a consequential impact on the lives of Michiganders and all Americans. Issues before the court include health care, women’s reproductive rights, workers’ rights, environmental protections, voting rights, and many life or death decisions that shape the law of the land.

“Simply put, the Supreme Court is often the last line of defense for every day Americans – and an important guardian of the Constitution itself. 

“There’s no question that a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court is a tremendous responsibility – and we must have qualified, committed justices who will exercise judicial independence, follow the facts, and apply law and precedent fairly and impartially – without regard for their own personal views, partisanship or politics.

“It’s clear that on every measure Judge Jackson has the credentials, qualities, work ethic and character needed to serve on the Supreme Court, and she will not only bring diversity but a unique life perspective and passion for the law that she developed at a very young age.

“Judge Jackson’s interest in the law started as a preschooler, sitting next to her father while he studied cases for law school – while she worked in her coloring book. Despite being ambitious and a star student growing up, Judge Jackson faced resistance. When Judge Jackson told her high school guidance counselor that she was interested in attending Harvard University, the counselor told her that maybe she should set her sights lower than that.

“But Judge Jackson would not be deterred, and she credits her high school debate coach with introducing her to several colleges. She went on to graduate magna cum laude from Harvard as an undergraduate and cum laude from Harvard Law School.

“This was the beginning of Judge Jackson’s distinguished legal career. She clerked for three federal judges, including Supreme Court Justice Breyer – worked in private practice at prestigious law firms, and has served on the federal bench – on both the district court and the Court of Appeals, a position she was confirmed to just last year with bipartisan support by this very Senate.

“Judge Jackson’s experience also has been shaped by representing every day Americans and hearing their cases. She will be the first Justice who previously served as a federal public defender and the only Justice who has served as a member of the bipartisan U.S. Sentencing Commission. She will also bring considerable criminal law experience to the Court.

“Her breadth of experience, her record and temperament were on full display during her recent Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing. 

“Over the course of 24 hours and more than 600 questions, Judge Jackson not only demonstrated why she is qualified to serve on the Supreme Court but also why she was unflappable even when she faced outrageous, absolutely outrageous false attacks on her record during the Committee hearings.

“During this process, Judge Jackson has not only earned bipartisan support for her confirmation but has the backing of diverse voices – including from the American Bar Association, which unanimously gave her its highest rating of “well qualified.” Lawyers across the political spectrum, civil rights organizations, law enforcement groups, and chambers of commerce have all offered not just support but glowing support for her nomination.

“Former George H.W. Bush-appointed Fourth Circuit Judge Michael Luttig called Judge Jackson ‘eminently qualified’ and ‘as highly credentialed and experienced in the law as any nominee in history.’

“Two dozen conservative and former Republican-appointed officials said: ‘…we are united in our view that she is exceptionally well-qualified, given her breadth of experience, demonstrated ability, and personal attributes of intellect and character. We think that her confirmation on a consensus basis would strengthen the court and the nation in important ways.’

“And the International Association of Chiefs of Police said, ‘…During her time as a judge, she has displayed her dedication to ensuring that our communities are safe and that the interest of justice are served. Judge Jackson’s years of experience have shown she has the temperament and qualifications to serve as the next Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.’

“After my one-on-one meeting with Judge Jackson last week, I was convinced she is extraordinarily qualified and prepared to serve on the Supreme Court, particularly at this challenging moment. 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, the temperament, and impartiality and fidelity to the law that will undoubtedly serve our nation exceptionally well.

“I am proud to support Judge Jackson as our next Supreme Court Justice and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in making history.”

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