WASHINGTON — Democrats on Friday promised a swift confirmation process for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, celebrating President Biden’s pick for the Supreme Court as Republicans signaled that they had little appetite for a toxic battle over the first Black woman to be nominated for the post.While Democrats and their progressive allies extolled Judge Jackson as a brilliant and qualified choice, many Republicans said her selection reflected the power of the “radical left” over Mr. Biden, underscoring the divisions that are certain to shape a confirmation process that has become as much about politics and ideology as judicial record and professional background.Despite the disagreement, there were early indications that Judge Jackson’s review could avoid the kind of scorched-earth partisanship of recent Supreme Court fights. Given the historic nature of her nomination and the fact that she would not change the court’s 6-3 conservative tilt, leading Republicans did not seem inclined to engage in a bitter clash that they were almost certain to lose.Even as he dismissed Judge Jackson as “the favored choice of far-left dark-money groups” and noted that he had opposed her confirmation in the past, Senator Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican and minority leader, said he looked forward to meeting with her in person. It was a far cry from 2016, when he refused to sit down with Merrick B. Garland, President Barack Obama’s pick for the court, whose nomination he killed.The uncharacteristically muted statements from Mr. McConnell and many others reflected Republicans’ concern about appearing overly aggressive in attacking the first Black female nominee.Instead, Republicans seemed intent on showing that they would treat Judge Jackson with respect and conduct dignified proceedings, even though most are likely to oppose her confirmation. They said they were determined not to emulate the tactics of Democrats, who they say were unfair to Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing in 2018, when allegations of past sexual misconduct were aired.“No matter what,” said Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas and a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, “Judge Jackson will be given the dignity and respect she deserves. The American people will see a starkly different process from the treatment of Justice Kavanaugh and other judicial nominees during the previous administration.”ImageSenator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, said he looked forward to meeting with Judge Jackson.Credit...Samuel Corum for The New York TimesTop Democrats have said they would like the Senate to vote on Judge Jackson’s nomination by April 8, before a scheduled two-week recess. The process will begin in earnest next week, when she begins so-called courtesy meetings with Republican and Democratic senators. The fact that she underwent Senate review for her seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit less than a year ago should bolster the chances of sticking to that timeline.But the conflict in Ukraine and Washington’s focus on it could potentially upset the plans and slow her consideration. In addition, one Democrat, Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, had a stroke last month and has been absent. Democrats will want all their members on hand for the final vote in case they are needed.After they were informed of the nomination on Friday, Democrats and their liberal allies portrayed Judge Jackson, a federal judge since 2013, as an impeccable pick who would provide valuable experience as a former public defender. She would ensure that “the Supreme Court reflects the nation as a whole,” said Senator Chuck Schumer of the New York, the majority leader.“To be the first to make history in our nation, you need to have an exceptional life story,” said Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, who as the chairman of the Judiciary Committee will preside over confirmation hearings, which are expected in late March. “Judge Jackson’s achievements are well known to the Senate Judiciary Committee, as we approved her to the D.C. Circuit less than a year ago with bipartisan support.”Other Democrats said the fact that Judge Jackson was recently grilled by Republicans on the Judiciary Committee in winning her spot on the U.S. Court of Appeals was a significant advantage.“She gave as good as she got in a very respectful and graceful way,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut and a member of the panel. “She was just masterful.”While Republican lawmakers mostly held their fire on Friday, party activists were out in force denouncing Judge Jackson within hours of her selection. The Republican National Committee called her a “radical, left-wing activist” and put out a document previewing the party’s line of attack,By: Carl Hulse
Title: As Democrats Cheer Jackson Pick, Republicans Pledge Respectful Review
Sourced From: www.nytimes.com/2022/02/25/us/politics/ketanji-brown-jackson-supreme-court-republicans.html
Published Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2022 00:10:16 +0000
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