WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced Friday he plans to vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, praising her “exemplary” record and career and labeling her “supremely qualified” to be a justice.
The centrist Democrat’s support gives Jackson nomination a major boost after four days of contentious hearings, all but assuring her historic confirmation to be the first Black woman on the high court as long as the rest of the Democratic caucus stays on board.
“Just as I have with previous Supreme Court nominees, I met with Judge Jackson and evaluated her qualifications to be a Supreme Court Justice,” Manchin said in a statement. “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.”
March 24, 202202:24
Democrats have been lining up in Jackson’s corner throughout the week, and have faced no defections on President Joe Biden’s nominee. As long as the 50 members of the caucus support her, they won’t need Republican support, although party leaders remain optimistic about winning at least a few GOP votes.
The Judiciary Committee plans to vote on Jackson’s nomination on April 4, and the full Senate is expected to vote later that week.
“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 said, praising Jackson as “warm and gracious” and holding “the temperament to make an exceptional jurist.”
Source: | This article originally belongs to Nbcnews.com
