Today: 31 May 2025
8 April 2022
2 mins read

HISTORY!

US Senate confirms first African-American woman Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court

For the first time in the US Supreme Court’s 233-year history, the Senate has confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, an African-American women, to serve as a Justice in the nine-member bench of the apex court.

The confirmation came following a 53-47 vote on Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency. Only three Republicans joined the Democrats and independents in supporting the 51-year-old Jackson. Since June 2021, she has sat on the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, often referred to as the nation’s second most powerful court.

 In February, President Joe Biden had announced Jackson’s nomination to succeed liberal Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who will retire this summer. Jackson will not be sworn in until after Breyer leaves the post.

 Biden and Jackson watched the Senate vote, which fell largely along party lines, from the Roosevelt Room at the White House on Thursday afternoon.

 “Judge Jackson’s confirmation was a historic moment for our nation,” Biden tweeted with a photo of him taking a selfie with the judge.

 “We’ve taken another step toward making our highest court reflect the diversity of America,” he said. “She will be an incredible Justice, and I was honoured to share this moment with her.”

The White House has scheduled an event for Friday to celebrate the confirmation.

While Senate Democrats have praised Jackson’s qualifications, as well as the historic nature of her nomination, most Republicans have cast doubt on her past rulings.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who voted against the nomination, voiced concern about what he saw as a “long and disturbing record of using judicial activism to go soft on crime” It was one of Biden’s major campaign promises to fill a potential Supreme Court vacancy with an African-American woman.

Since the Supreme Court was established in the US in 1789, 115 justices have served on the bench. Of them, 108 were white men.

The Justices have life tenure and can serve until they die, resign, retire, or are impeached and removed from office.  Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Miami, Jackson received her law degree from Harvard University and graduated cum laude in 1996.

Earlier in her legal career, she worked as an assistant federal public defender in D.C. and served as vice-chair of the US Sentencing Commission for four years.

Jackson served more than eight years as a judge on the US District Court for the District of Columbia before being elevated to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

This year, the Supreme Court will rule on cases involving a series of major issues, including abortion, affirmative action and gun control.

 Court watchers have argued Jackson is expected to vote very similarly to Breyer and her ascension won’t change the Supreme Court’s ideological balance, in which conservatives have a 6-3 majority over liberals.

The Supreme Court is the final appellate court of the US judicial system, with the power to review and overturn lower court decisions, and is also generally the final interpreter of federal law, including the country’s constitution.

Previous Story

UAE, UK bid to check dirty money

Next Story

UAEBBY launches 14th Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s literature at LBF 2022

Latest from -Top News

World needs Dubai’s ambition: Morgan

Piers Morgan has hailed Dubai’s transformation as an example of what visionary leadership can achieve. British broadcaster Piers Morgan has praised the extraordinary ambition and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin

Mohammed honours football champions

Ruler of Dubai hails players as role models during palace reception His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, received the

Abu Dhabi sets 2050 energy vision

Abu Dhabi unveils AED400 billion energy roadmap, inked climate finance pact ahead of 2026 UN Water Conference Abu Dhabi has unveiled a sweeping strategic framework to transform its energy and water sector

Gargash: UAE’s pragmatism sets regional example

Anwar Gargash says the UAE stands as a beacon of what is possible when pragmatism and vision come together. As political instability, economic fragmentation and rapid technological change continue to reshape the

US flag returns to Damascus

Billions in energy deals and lifted sanctions mark Syria’s reintegration, as US reopens embassy and declares the war-torn nation “open for business” under new regional partnerships. The United States has reopened its
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Ethiopian capital starts 2-day weapons registration drive

Authorities in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa announced the launch of

MBZ reviews advancing ties with Yemen

The two sides also discussed ways to support peace in