Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., gave opening remarks March 21 as the Senate Judiciary Committee kicked off its Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, noting Jackson’s history-making nomination.
“Breaking barriers and being the first means not just significant opportunity but tremendous responsibility. But Judge Jackson, I also know you are equipped with a tremendous record of experience and accomplishment and you are ready to blaze this trail. A trail that your grandparents may have found unfathomable, but one that your daughters and my sons and future generations will now see as a natural part of the American story,” Padilla said.
Padilla also noted the various senators on the committee who broke barriers, including Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., the first woman to represent that state, and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., the first Black New Jersey senator.
Jackson was nominated by President Joe Biden in February to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. If confirmed, she will be the first Black woman on the high court.
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