3 GOP senators support Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation [Video]

• Ketanji Brown Jackson earned the support of three Republicans, making her confirmation even more likely.
• The Senate voted 53-47 in support of her nomination after the Judiciary Committee deadlocked on a party-line vote of 11-11 earlier.
• Her nomination was supported by all 50 Democrat senators and three Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitt Romney of Utah.

Ketanji Brown Jackson, a judge on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for Washington, D.C., is on her way for a final confirmation vote.

Jackson earned a 53-47 vote in support of her Supreme Court nomination during the Senate’s procedural vote. All 50 Democrat senators and three Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitt Romney of Utah — voted in favor of her nomination.

The extra procedural step on the Senate was forced after the Judiciary Committee deadlocked on a party-line vote of 11-11 earlier on Monday.

Murkowski cited Jackson’s experience, qualifications, “judicial independence; her demeanor and temperament” when she declared her support.

Romney also stated on Twitter that Jackson is a “well-qualified jurist and a person of honor” who “more than meets the standard of excellence and integrity.”

The vote made Jackson’s confirmation all but guaranteed. Her final confirmation vote is expected later in the week. The historic vote could make her the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who aims to hold the final vote as early as Thursday, stated, “Judge Jackson ultimately has enough support to get confirmed on a bipartisan basis. And the Senate is going to keep working until this nomination is complete. This is a joyous and history-making moment for the Senate.”

On Monday, Committee Chair Dick Durbin, D-Ill., reprimanded some unnamed Republicans for making “discredited claims” about Jackson during her confirmation hearings.

Durbin praised Jackson for staying “calm and collected” amid the harrowing questioning she received. “She showed dignity, grace and poise,” Durbin added, describing the judge as “extremely well qualified with a brilliant legal mind, with the utmost character and integrity.”

Several Republicans had argued against Jackson’s judicial philosophy and sentencing record in child exploitation cases.

Murkowski later called the Supreme Court confirmation process “just awful.” She added that her vote might risk her re-election bid this year.

Murkowski stated, “We’re so divided now. We are to that point where it’s almost automatic: If it is a president who is not of my party puts forth a nominee, I am somehow obligated to just barely even give consideration, not just before the name is named.”

Advocates of issues such as climate change, voting, and reproductive rights celebrated Jackson’s impending confirmation.

NAACP General Counsel Janette McCarthy Wallace stated, “A historic step was taken today. … representation is of utmost importance. Ketanji Brown Jackson is highly qualified to serve on the Supreme Court and her voice is more important now than ever.”

Source: NBC News