Schakowsky Statement on the Confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court

Statement

Following the historic confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Senior Chief Deputy Whip, released the following statement.

"Today, the Senate confirmed by a bipartisan vote of 53-47 a highly qualified jurist, former public defender, and first Black woman to the United States Supreme Court. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson brings hope to so many of us and her confirmation reflects what makes this nation great. During her confirmation hearings we heard the story of a girl born to public school teachers who was taught that despite the many barriers she would face, that in America, if she worked hard and believed in herself, she could do anything and be anything she wanted. Judge Jackson did just that, and she did it with skill, integrity, and compassion. She is living proof to Black girls in America that the sky is the limit.

"Judge Jackson also represents a beacon of hope to our country's most vulnerable. She will be the first justice with experience as a federal public defender. I am thrilled that we will finally have someone on our highest court who understands how the criminal justice system looks in the eyes of poor defendants and who has witnessed the unfairness and hurdles within it. Her experience as a public defender is inextricably tied to the fight for racial justice and that experience now proves invaluable as she begins her journey on the Supreme Court.

"I look forward to watching her continue her quest to make the words engraved on the front of the Supreme Court Building -- 'Equal Justice Under Law' -- a reality."

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