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Floor Speech

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Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I stand here to proudly support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Nation has had the opportunity to watch Judge Jackson during her confirmation hearing 2 weeks ago and see firsthand the temperament, knowledge of the law, and qualifications she brings to the highest Court in the land. She will be a fair and impartial jurist, just as she has proven herself to be on the district court and on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals.

President Biden made a commitment before he was elected to appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court. Judge Jackson's historic nomination is long overdue.

It was in my home State of New York where Constance Baker Motley became the first Black woman to be a Federal judge--in the Southern District.

Having diverse representation on the Court does not mean someone will rule a certain way, and it doesn't mean that is why they deserve to be on the Bench. It is important because it strengthens our institutions. It is critical because it shows who we are as a nation, and it makes a difference to the girls and women across the country, who will now have a role model and know that they can aspire to do the same.

That is why President Biden made that promise because he knew that it was beyond time to ensure the Supreme Court has that representation; and it is clear that Judge Jackson will be a highly qualified Justice to fulfill that promise.

Who we confirm to the Supreme Court matters. While the work of the Court may feel distant from our daily decisions and day-to-day lives, the Supreme Court actually makes key decisions on whether individuals are protected when they go to school, work, or out in public; on who can and how we can cast our votes to determine our elected officials; on whether our future generations will have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink; on who we can choose to marry; and on what decisions women can make about their own bodies and their reproductive future.

The nine Justices on the Supreme Court make important decisions that impact all Americans; and in the Senate, in our advice and consent role, we have a critical role to play in ensuring that we confirm Justices who follow the rule of law and provide equal justice to all.

The perspectives Judge Jackson will bring to the highest Court of the land, both personally and professionally, will have a critical impact on all Americans. Judge Jackson will bring to the Bench significant criminal defense experience as a former public defender. She will also bring nearly a decade of judicial experience to her rulings.

When I met Judge Jackson, I asked her which of her experiences have prepared her most for this moment to serve on the Supreme Court if she was confirmed. She answered by talking about her clerkships, which she completed at each level of the judiciary: the district court; First Circuit Court of Appeals; and for Supreme Court Justice Breyer, whose seat she is being nominated to fill. She talked about how she learned from others how to serve as a judge. She experienced firsthand what it means to fulfill the constitutional requirement of being a member of our Nation's Federal judiciary.

I know that Judge Jackson will bring all of those perspectives and meaningful experiences with her to the Supreme Court, and those are critically needed on the highest Court of our land. It is those experiences and her record that have led to Judge Jackson's nomination receiving broad support--from the civil and human rights community to the law enforcement community and from colleagues in the judiciary nominated by Presidents of both parties, to name just a few. Given the fact that she was confirmed three times before this body with bipartisan support, the Senate should be able to once again confirm her with votes from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

I look forward to enthusiastically casting my vote in support of Judge Jackson's confirmation to the Supreme Court of the United States. I urge my colleagues to join me and support her nomination as well.

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