Sen. Joe Manchin(D-W. Va) said Friday that he will vote for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the next Supreme Court justice.
“After meeting with her, considering her record, and closely monitoring her testimony and questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, I have determined I intend to vote for her nomination to serve on the Supreme Court,” Manchin said in a statement.
“Judge Jackson’s record and career are exemplary,” Manchin added. “Her wide array of experiences in varying sectors of our judicial system have provided Judge Jackson a unique perspective that will serve her well on our nation’s highest court.”
Manchin’s support all but assures that Jackson will be confirmed to the Supreme Court with the support of all 50 Senate Democrats. Jackson will become the first Black woman to serve on the high court.
It is unclear if any Republicans will vote for her. Three GOP senators, Lindsey Graham (S.C), Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), supported Jackson’s nomination last year to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Graham already signalled he plans to oppose her nomination to the Supreme Court.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to vote on Jackson’s nomination on April 4. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer plans to bring the nomination to the floor on April 8.
Jackson will be replacing retiring liberal Justice Stephen Breyer.
