WASHINGTON ― The Senate made historical past on Thursday when it confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson as the primary Black lady on the Supreme Courtroom, a long-awaited second that delighted Jackson’s supporters and plenty of Black People.
The historic second was made even sweeter by the truth that Vice President Kamala Harris, the primary Black lady to serve in her submit, presided over Jackson’s affirmation vote.
Harris flashed a giant smile as she learn the tally aloud from the dais after every senator solid their vote from their seat, a uncommon incidence reserved for consequential moments. The vp additionally serves because the president of the Senate and should preside over votes when she or he chooses.
“On this vote, the yays are 53, the nays are 47, and this nomination is confirmed,” Harris stated moments earlier than a loud and sustained spherical of applause broke out within the chamber.
Democrats may barely comprise themselves in celebrating Jackson’s affirmation on Thursday. Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) hailed it as a “joyous, momentous, [and] groundbreaking day.” A giddy Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) was all smiles as he presided over an earlier vote chopping off debate on Jackson’s nomination, his voice booming within the chamber.
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), whose shock victory in Georgia’s 2021 Senate runoff election helped Democrats win management of the chamber and made Jackson’s affirmation doable, additionally took a couple of minutes to mark Jackson’s affirmation in a flooring speech on Thursday.
“Sure, I’m a senator. I’m a pastor. However past all of that, I’m the daddy of a younger Black lady,” Warnock stated Thursday earlier than the affirmation vote.
“I understand how a lot it means for Decide Jackson to should navigate the double jeopardy of racism and sexism to now stand within the glory of this second, with all of her excellence,” he added.
“For my 5-year-old daughter and for thus many younger girls in our nation ― however actually, if we’re fascinated with proper, for all of us ― seeing Decide Jackson ascend to the Supreme Courtroom displays the promise of progress on which our democracy rests,” Warnock stated.
Harris spoke with reporters after the vote, calling Jackson’s affirmation a “essential assertion about who we aspire to be, who we're, and who we imagine ourselves to be.”
She added, “I’m very proud. I’m very proud.”
Arthur Delaney contributed reporting.
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