Democrats praised what Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination will mean for the Americans who have not seen themselves represented on the country’s highest court. Republicans cautioned that their skepticism of her had nothing to do with her race.
“We will see Democrats and the media suggest that any senator that is skeptical of your nomination, that questions you vigorously, or that dares to vote against you must somehow harbor racial animus,” Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz said.
Several Democrats said that her presence on the Supreme Court will increase the trust a diverse public place in it.
“Your presence here today, your willingness to brave this process will give inspiration to millions of Americans who see themselves in you,” Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin said, while noting the rally in Jackson’s support near the Capitol Monday. “There were so many young African American women and law students there seeing your pursuit as part of their dream.”
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker’s opening statement was a particularly poignant reflect of the moment, as committee’s sole Black member told Jackson her nomination “is not normal.”
“We are on the precipice of shattering another ceiling,” Booker said. “It’s a sign that we as a country are continuing to rise to our collective cherished highest ideals
Ss Sen. Alex Padilla of California noted how “Breaking barriers and being the first means not just significant opportunity, but tremendous responsibility,” he told Jackson that she was “equipped with a tremendous record of experience and accomplishment and you are ready to blaze this trail.”
“A trail that your grandparents may have found unfathomable, but one that your daughters and my sons and future generations will now see as a natural part of the American story,” Padilla said.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, the second Republican on the committee to speak, acknowledged the historic moment, and told the committee “count me in on the idea of making the court more diverse.”
But he also referenced lower court GOP nominees of color who were opposed by Democrats.
“It is about philosophy when it’s somebody of color on our side,” Graham said, adding that “it’s not going to fly” if hard questions about Jackson’s philosophy are deemed racist.
Other Senate Republicans named checked the GOP nominees referred to by Graham, Miguel Estrada – a George W. Bush nominee whose nomination to the DC Circuit was filibustered by Democrats– and Janice Rogers Brown, a George W. Bush-appointee to the DC Circuit whose confirmation faced hostility and delay from Democrats.
“If you are Hispanic or African American and you dare depart from their political orthodoxy, they will crush you, they will attack you, they will slander you, they will filibuster you. So this is not about race,” Cruz said.
Source: www.cnn.com