For the first time, a black woman becomes a judge on the United States Supreme Court. The Senate on Thursday confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson for the post of Supreme Court. US President Joe Biden appointed the 51-year-old judge in late February. The liberal lawyer got 53 out of 100 votes in the Senate. Three moderate Republicans voted with the 50 Democrats in the House of Representatives.
Jackson’s confirmation doesn’t change anything for the Conservative majority on the Supreme Court – it replaces Liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, who announced his retirement.
Democrat Biden described Jackson as one of the “smartest lawyers in our country” and spoke of a “historic candidate”. Once confirmed, Jackson has yet to be sworn in. Breyer’s departure allowed Biden to take his first seat on the Supreme Court. His Republican predecessor, Donald Trump, managed to get three judges there. Six of the nine judges are currently considered conservative. With its rulings on controversial issues such as abortion, immigration or same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court has repeatedly set the course for American society. (apa)