WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court confirmation hearing for Ketanji Brown Jackson kicked off Monday with Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee using their opening statements to try to head off some Republican criticisms.
Chairman Richard J. Durbin of Illinois called it a “proud day for America,” which started out with no voting rights for women or minorities, and now Jackson could be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court. “You, Judge Jackson, can be the first. It’s not easy being first. Often, you have to be the best and in some ways the bravest,” Durbin said. “Many are not prepared to face that kind of heat, that kind of scrutiny and the glare of the national spotlight.”
Durbin pointed out that Jackson’s background was one of excellence and integrity — and of someone who has been confirmed by the Senate three times for previous positions, including her role as an appeals court judge in Washington, D.C. And Durbin tried to swat away expected questions about her representation of detainees at Guantanamo Bay or other clients, and criticism that she is soft on crime or on sexual offenders. “These baseless charges are unfair,” Durbin said. “I’m confident the American people will see through these attacks and any other last-minute attempts to derail your confirmation.”
