On Thursday, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to become the 116th Supreme Court Justice.
With a vote of 53 yeas and 47 nays, Jackson was confirmed. Three GOP senators went over party lines and voted for her. They include Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Jackson will serve as the first Black woman to ever serve on the bench. During his 2020 presidential campaign, Biden vowed to nominate a Black woman to the highest court in the country if he won.
“In the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, never, never has a Black woman held the title of Justice. Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the first, and I believe the first of more to come,” stated Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The proceedings started fairly quickly as senators filled the Senate chamber. However, there was a bit of a delay when it was realized that Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky had not voted. The chamber waited for him to arrive and cast his vote prior to it being graveled closed.
As president of the Senate, Vice President Kamala Harris, oversaw the chamber while the historic vote took place. She is the first Black woman to serve as vice president.
After Jackson’s confirmation was declared, Democratic senators and others “erupted in applause.”
