ACTION ALERT: Urge Your Senators to Confirm Judge Jackson
THE ISSUE: Last week, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, underwent multiple rounds of intense questioning from the Senate Judiciary Committee. During this process, many GOP senators delivered harsh criticisms, attempting to undermine her qualifications and question her character. These attacks were inherently racist, misogynistic and politically motivated. The Republicans’ performance was primarily for the camera, intending to create the false impression that Democrats — and Judge Jackson – were soft on crime.
Nonetheless, Judge Jackson demonstrated grace, integrity, and an even temperament — under the extreme pressure of a politicized confirmation process. Judge Jackson is one of the most qualified nominees, having served as a federal district judge, a federal appellate judge, a judicial member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission and a federal public defender. She has previously been confirmed three times by the Senate – twice for judgeships. Her authorship of more than 550 opinions indicates she is a dedicated professional.
WHY IT MATTERS: If Judge Jackson is confirmed, she will be the first Black woman to ever serve as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court in its 233-year history. In and of itself, her nomination is a milestone and deserves much celebration. Judge Jackson will bring a unique and much-needed perspective that is unprecedented to the Supreme Court. Given her judicial record, we can expect that Judge Jackson will prioritize principles of equality and justice, while bringing important representation to the nation’s marginalized communities.
As the highest court in the nation, the Supreme Court holds immense power, and its decisions have the potential to greatly impact citizens’ lives. To secure democracy, it is essential that the makeup of the Supreme Court reflect the people of the United States. Judge Jackson will not only bring impressive insight and brilliance to the court, but crucial representation as well.
BACKGROUND: Ketanji Brown Jackson has a brilliant mind and is supremely well-qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. Throughout her many years of legal and judicial experience, Judge Jackson has consistently upheld the rule of law, demonstrated an excellent judicial record, and combatted injustice. From her record, we know that she will protect the rights of women and girls, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and workers’ collective bargaining rights.
Judge Jackson has had an impressive and accomplished career. She received both her undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard University. Judge Jackson has been a public servant for most of her legal career, but she has also worked for several private law firms. Additionally, she clerked for multiple federal judges, including the retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. If confirmed, she will be the first justice to have served as a public defender, and one of the only justices in history to have experience representing criminal defendants. Judge Jackson’s career speaks for itself. There are no legitimate reasons against her confirmation.
THE STATUS: The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Judge Jackson’s nomination the week of April 4th. It is crucial that senators recognize Judge Jackson’s impressive qualifications and vote to confirm her nomination.
TAKE ACTION
Because of the fierce attacks against Judge Jackson, it is essential that everyone contact their Senators and urge them to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Regardless of your senators’ party affiliation, they need to know that the public supports Judge Jackson’s confirmation.
WHAT CAN I DO? Call your senators and urge them to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
HOW DO I DO IT? Every U.S. Senator can be reached at the Capitol Switchboard at 202–224–3121 and a directory of their contact information can also be found here. If senators are in their home state – many are due to the pandemic – they can be contacted at their local offices. You can also send a message through the senators’ official websites.
WHAT DO I SAY? I am calling to urge Senator [NAME] to support the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. This nominee has extensive legal and judicial experience and holds a highly impressive judicial record. It is abundantly clear that Judge Jackson is supremely qualified to assume this lifetime position. It is vital that Senator [NAME] votes to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.