Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson has received an endorsement from Maine’s Republican Senator Susan Collins, according to a March 30 announcement.
“After reviewing Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s extensive record, watching much of her hearing testimony, and meeting with her twice in person, I have concluded that she possesses the experience, qualifications, and integrity to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court,” Collins said. “I will, therefore, vote to confirm her to this position.”
Collins commended Jackson’s “sterling academic and professional credentials,” including her experience as a public defender, federal District Court judge, and her confirmation by the American Bar Association.
The senator said she and Jackson went over “in depth several issues that were raised in her hearing” and likely ”will not agree with every vote that [Jackson] casts as a Justice.”
Collins also criticized the Supreme Court confirmation process during her endorsement. In particular, she noted Senate confirmation votes used to be more bipartisan.
“No matter where you fall on the ideological spectrum, anyone who has watched several of the last Supreme Court confirmation hearings would reach the conclusion that the process is broken,” Collins said. “Part of the reason is that, in recent years, the process has increasingly moved away from what I believe to be appropriate for evaluating a Supreme Court nominee.”
Ronald Klain, theWhite House chief of staff, celebrated Collins’s “fair, thoughtful consideration” following her announcement.
“Collins’ support gives Democrats at least a one-vote cushion in the 50-50 Senate and likely saves them from having to use Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote to confirm President Joe Biden’s pick,” reports AP News. “Senate Democratic leaders are pushing toward a Senate Judiciary Committee vote on the nomination Monday and a final Senate vote to confirm Jackson late next week.”
Jackson met this week with Republican Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, who said he was undecided about how he will vote. Romney voted against Jackson’s 2021 appointment to the U.S. Court of D.C. Appeals.
