Jackson defends her record on 3rd day of hearings
The hearings come as Republicans try to paint her as "soft on crime" and Democrats herald the historic nature of her nomination to become the first Black woman on the high court.
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Ketanji Brown Jackson was nominated by Biden in February (AP)
Ketanji Brown Jackson, the Supreme Court's first Black female judge in the court's 233-year history, faced senators for the first time Tuesday as Democrats strive for a swift confirmation of the only Black female justice in the court's 233-year history.
She has returned Wednesday for the third day of hearings, as Republicans try to depict her as "soft on crime."
Republicans grilled Jackson during Tuesday's long session on the penalties she has given down to sex offenders in her nine years as a federal judge, her advocacy on behalf of "terror" suspects at Guantanamo Bay, her thinking on critical race theory, and even her religious beliefs. At one point, Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz read from children's books that he said were taught at her teenage daughter's school.
He asked Jackson during the hearing, "Do you agree with this book that is being taught for kids that babies are racist?”
After a long pause, Jackson expressed that she did not believe any children should be made to feel racist, victims, or oppressors. "I don't believe in any of that," she declared.
Her child pornography sentences were touched on as well, with some arguing they were much lighter than federal guidelines stated.
On the topic, she stated that “a judge is not playing a numbers game,” she said. “A judge is looking at all of these different factors.”
Jackson defended her sentences, saying some had given her nightmares, and adding that they were based not only on federal guidelines but numerous other factors. She argued that "nothing could be further from the truth," than her rulings having endangered children.
On the subject of abortion, Jackson said “Roe and Casey are the settled law of the Supreme Court concerning the right to terminate a woman’s pregnancy. They have established a framework that the court has reaffirmed."
When questioned about when she believed life truly began, she responded that she did not know and said her religious view is set aside when she rules on cases.
The committee's Republicans, some of whom are running for president, attempted to portray her — and Democrats in general — as soft on crime, a recurring issue in Republican midterm election campaigns.
The committee will hear from legal experts on Thursday before voting on whether to advance her nomination to the Senate floor.
Biden selected Jackson in February, fulfilling a campaign promise to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court for the first time in American history. She would replace Judge Stephen Breyer, who announced his retirement from the court in January after 28 years.
