Biden Nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court
2.25.2022 (STATEMENT) — Today, it was announced that President Biden will nominate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Statement from Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights:
“In nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court, President Biden has put forth a nominee with a stellar career in law practice and on the bench. In addition to demonstrated integrity and professional excellence, the justices on the Court should reflect the diversity of the American public, and Judge Jackson’s nomination is a historic step towards making that a reality. As the first Black woman nominated to the Court, Judge Jackson has life experiences that are distinct from all current and previous Supreme Court justices. A former federal public defender, Judge Jackson has a record in public service that demonstrates her commitment to equal justice under law. She will bring needed professional diversity to the Supreme Court as the first justice since Justice Thurgood Marshall with experience representing criminal defendants who cannot afford to hire a private attorney.
Judge Jackson’s nomination comes at a perilous time for the Supreme Court’s adherence to critical constitutional rights, including voting rights, reproductive rights, and racial equality. On the issue of abortion rights, the Court has already heard argument in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that it should overturn the almost 50-year precedent of Roe v. Wade. Moreover, for almost six months, the Court has allowed Texas to deprive its residents of the right to abortion, a situation that Justice Sonia Sotomayor has called “a disaster for the rule of law and a grave disservice to the women in Texas, who have a right to control their own bodies.”
Judge Jackson has not ruled on any cases that directly address abortion rights. As a district judge, she had three cases involving access to contraception. However, the limited legal issues presented in these cases provide minimal insight into Judge Jackson’s understanding of the precedent underlying protections for reproductive rights. We look forward to hearing her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee to learn more about her judicial philosophy and her views on the fundamental right to make one’s own decisions about, and have access to, the full range of reproductive healthcare.”
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