Senator Hirono Votes to Advance the Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted to advance the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States out of Committee.

“Through 2 days of questioning in front of the Judiciary Committee, Judge Jackson displayed the intellect, integrity, and temperament necessary in a Supreme Court Justice,” said Senator Hirono. “Her experience as a clerk, federal judge, and public defender make her eminently qualified to sit on the Court, where she will make history as our nation’s first-ever Black woman Justice. The Court will be better off with the addition of her experience, evenhandedness, integrity, and humanity.

“Today, I was proud to vote to advance her historic nomination. Given her unimpeachable credentials, it is deeply disappointing that not a single Republican on our committee was willing to join us in advancing her nomination. They are on the wrong side of history. Despite their obstruction, we will continue moving forward and I look forward to voting to confirm Judge Jackson to the Supreme Court.”

The Judiciary Committee voted 11-11 along party lines to advance Judge Jackson’s nomination. As such, the Committee will now transmit a notice of a tie vote to the Secretary of the Senate. The full Senate is expected to vote later tonight on a motion to discharge the nomination out of the Committee, which requires only a simple majority to pass. 

During the Committee's markup, Senator Hirono delivered remarks in support of Judge Jackson's nomination. Video of those remarks can be found here.

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