Dems uniting behind Jackson
WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Manchin said Friday he would vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown
Jackson for the Supreme Court, signaling Democrats are uniting behind her after a bruising set of hearings that showed deep opposition by Republicans.
The backing of Manchin, a centrist Democrat from West Virginia and a crucial swing vote, appeared to all but ensure Jackson’s confirmation. Manchin’s support was critical, since all 50 Senate Democrats may be needed to approve her nomination, given few if any Republicans appear ready to support her in a vote Democrats hope to hold early next month.
Manchin had previously said he would be willing to support a Biden administration nominee with a more liberal perspective than his, but he had not specifically said he would vote for Jackson until he dispelled any question of his intentions with a statement Friday.
“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.
Some conservatives tried to put pressure on him to oppose Jackson, pointing to what they claimed was a record of leniency in sentencing child sex offenders and charging she was a liberal activist on abortion rights — which Manchin opposes — transgender rights and matters of race. But Democrats and others debunked the claims as distorted, and Manchin seemed to dismiss them as well.
“Judge Jackson’s record and career are exemplary,” he said. “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 opposition could have potentially derailed the nomination, as it did this month when he blocked the appointment of Sarah Bloom Raskin to the Federal Reserve.
Chances of Republican support seem very limited, with Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska seen as the most likely, but tentative, prospects.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader, said Thursday he would oppose the nomination. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said Friday he would also vote against Jackson, saying, “I believe she will rubber stamp Biden’s far-left agenda instead of protecting the Constitution and our Kansas values.”