[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 62 (Thursday, April 7, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2075-S2076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                 Confirmation Of Ketanji Brown Jackson

  Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise today to celebrate the 
confirmation of now Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as a Justice on the 
Supreme Court of the United States of America.
  It is an important moment for our country but also a special moment 
for me because Angela, my wife, and two of our sons are here visiting 
the Capitol this week. They witnessed history in the making when we 
voted to confirm, just a few minutes ago, Justice Jackson. Angela and I 
take great joy in knowing that not just our three sons but young people 
across the country will see Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as an example 
of the great heights that they, too, can achieve.
  For the very first time in our Nation's history, the Senate has 
confirmed a Black woman to the Supreme Court of the United States. For 
only the sixth time, we have confirmed a woman to the Supreme Court, 
and for the fourth time, we have confirmed a working mother. It is also 
the first time in 50 years that the Senate has confirmed a Justice with 
public defense experience.
  This nomination represents progress, and I am heartened that it was a 
bipartisan majority of Senators who came together to make history 
today. I also know that this progress would not have been possible 
without someone who was brave enough to step ahead on her own; without 
someone willing to work twice as hard in order to be the first; without 
someone able to persevere no matter how challenging, how difficult, or 
how full of doubt her path ahead may sometimes be.
  It shouldn't have been this hard. As you know, I am a member of the 
Judiciary Committee, so I can attest that, when then-Judge Jackson came 
before the committee with an outstanding judicial record, with 
bipartisan acclaim, and historic qualifications, she came prepared. She 
did answer a whole range of important questions, and she was 
forthcoming. She was clear and gracious.
  Many Senators took the opportunity to engage deeply on issues that 
will shape the future of our Nation--issues like the role of technology 
and innovation, voting rights, Tribal sovereignty, and much, much more; 
but, sadly, as has been referenced, some of our colleagues chose to 
fill their time with hostility, bad faith, and misleading smears.
  They chose to hold Judge Jackson to a different standard than other 
Supreme Court nominees whom they themselves had previously supported. 
In the same breath as they tried to praise Judge Jackson's character 
and qualifications, they denigrated her motives; they questioned her 
impartiality and made up excuse after excuse for why they couldn't 
support her nomination. It was painful to watch, not just for me but 
for people across the country.
  Judge Jackson was in the spotlight for days, but she continually met 
disrespect with calm composure. It is an experience that is all too 
common for those with the audacity to break new ground. Judge Jackson 
was unfairly tested, but she persevered.
  I believe that Judge Jackson deserved better than the treatment she 
received during the confirmation process. When you see Senators cast 
aside their good faith in questioning nominees, the threat to the 
integrity of our justice system is very real, and the cynicism it 
breeds for our institutions is real. These are the issues that this 
Senate and that each Senator must confront.
  But, today, I want to--and I choose to--celebrate the historic 
achievement of this confirmation.
  Over the last few weeks, I have received thousands of letters and 
emails and other messages, including on social media, from Californians 
who support Justice Jackson's confirmation. The messages have come from 
people of all backgrounds and from every corner of my home State. I 
have heard from Californians who admire the tenacity, the grace, and 
the integrity that Justice Jackson showed in committee. I have also 
gotten messages from so many Californians, young Californians, who see 
themselves in Justice Jackson's story and from Californians who say 
that the Court and our country will be better because of her service.

  So, as we cast our historic votes, I celebrate the better America 
that we are building, wherein our courts better reflect and understand 
the diverse country that they serve. I celebrate the joy that Justice 
Jackson has brought to people across not just California but across the 
Nation. I celebrate the commitment to equal rights and equal justice 
that she will bring to the Supreme Court; and I celebrate the 
inspiration that she provides to young people, especially young people 
of color, who will write the next chapter of our American story.
  When Judge Jackson introduced herself to the American people in the 
course of the confirmation hearing in the Judiciary Committee, she said 
that she stood on the shoulders of the civil rights icon and her 
personal hero, Judge Constance Baker Motley. For many in the next 
generation, their hero will be Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
  I have shared with others and want to share again today that this 
confirmation represents one more step toward making our institutions 
and our courts more inclusive for all Americans.

[[Page S2076]]

  So it is in that spirit that I ask unanimous consent to make a few 
additional remarks in Spanish.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. PADILLA.
  (English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows:)

       Today, we are celebrating a historic moment. We are 
     celebrating the progress that we made to ensure that the 
     Supreme Court better reflects our country.
       Judge Jackson is more than qualified and is going to bring 
     important and necessary perspectives to the Supreme Court. 
     Unfortunately, she was attacked by Republicans during her 
     confirmation process; but to every attack, Judge Jackson 
     responded with grace and patience. She showed the country 
     that she will be an exceptional Supreme Court Justice, and 
     she will keep being an inspiration for the next generation.

  Madam President, Judge--now Justice--Jackson has earned her place on 
the Supreme Court.
  I will end by acknowledging that, while one person alone, sitting on 
a Court of nine equals, can't single-handedly create faith in the 
institution, I have every confidence that Justice Jackson will 
strengthen the Supreme Court and help our country progress forward.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.