Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has announced today that he will oppose Democrat President Joe Biden’s nomination for the Supreme Court, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said: “Having carefully studied her record, unfortunately, I think she and I have fundamentally different views on the role of judges and the role that they should play in our system of government because of those disagreements I can’t support her nomination.
“Judge Jackson told us that she can’t get records for her old cases because she’s no longer a district court judge.
“That seems to be very convenient, however, it is very inconvenient for this senator.
“Throughout this process, I’ve focused on thoroughly and fairly assessing Judge Jackson’s record. I think I’ve done that.
“We need confidence that judges will interpret the laws as they are written.
“Judge Jackson’s reinterpretation of laws I’ve helped write does not give me that confidence,” Grassley said.
NEW: U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley will vote NO on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination. https://t.co/lyuYAHlXPp
— Brianne Pfannenstiel (@brianneDMR) April 4, 2022
This is a Republican voter defending Judge Ketanji Jackson. All you need to do is listen. She is #AJustice4All and she will #RiseUp! pic.twitter.com/4FqTaumVai
— John from PGH (@johnis44) April 3, 2022
The committee, which is made up of 11 Republicans and 11 Democrats, is expected to deadlock on her nomination.
Democrats can still advance Jackson’s nomination, and a vote of the full Senate is expected this week before lawmakers leave for Easter recess.
The Senate is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, and Jackson needs a simple majority to be confirmed.
Two swing voters, Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, have both said they would support her nomination, all but guaranteeing her confirmation.
Grassley, who is the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, previously complimented Jackson as “very graceful” and “very smart in her answers” after several days of confirmation hearings before the committee.
However, he also said she’s “done a good job of sidestepping important questions,” particularly around whether she believes in adding seats to the Supreme Court.
