Circuit Court Judge Ketanji Jackson’s appointment to the Supreme Court is almost assured and will be bipartisan with Republican support.
It is not likely Judge Jackson will receive anywhere unanimous approval when her appointment is put to the vote. She will, however, likely have more than one or two Republican votes — enough for Democrats to claim bipartisan approval.
Based on comments made after a 90-minute meeting with the nominee, Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) seems like she will support Jackson.
“I had a lengthy and very productive conversation [earlier this month] with Judge Jackson,” Sen. Collins said in a statement. “We covered a lot of issues. She explained in great depth the methodology that she uses as she approaches the cases that come before her. It’s clear that her credentials and the breadth of her experience are impressive.”
Collins noted Jackson has been a law clerk, public defender, private practice attorney, district court judge for about eight years, and circuit court judge for almost one year.
“I will of course await the hearings before the Judiciary Committee before making a decision, but I found today’s session to be very helpful.”
President Joe Biden has called Collins at least three times to discuss the Supreme Court opening, according to a report in “Politico”.
Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) has been coy about his intention regarding Jackson’s vote. He reportedly said her sentencing record is not a disqualifying factor saying — in his heart — he favors voting for her. The report added Romney insisted he is undecided and will weigh her capacity, philosophy and decisions as a Circuit Court judge.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski voted to confirm Jackson to her current Circuit Court position last year so is considered likely to vote for her again. The Republican is probably weighing how a vote for Jackson will her November reelection chances.
Murkowski said in a Wednesday interview that Jackson’s sentencing record on child pornography cases bears looking into, but that she wants to understand whether or not it’s a pattern.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has a history of deferring to presidential judicial nominations so would normally be expected to approve Jackson’s appointment. During Biden’s search, however, Sen. Graham, announced support for S.C. District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs. It is unclear whether the presidential snub or concerns about Jackson’s sentencing of child pornographers but he does not seem to be a Jackson fan.
A short video posted on Twitter shows Graham sparring with Jackson over sentencing of people receiving and/or distributing sexually explicit images of children.
“With one click, you can distribute tens of thousands [of child porn images],” Jackson said. “You can be doing this for 15 minutes and all of a sudden, you are looking at 30, 40, 50 years in prison.”
“Good!” responded Graham vehemently. “I hope you go to prison for 50 years, if you’re on the Internet trolling for images of children in sexual exploitation situations.”
“See, you don’t think that’s a bad thing,” continued Graham, “I think that’s a horrible thing.”
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