By Sahil Kapur NBC News
Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, said Friday that he plans to vote to confirm Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on the Supreme Court, praising her “exemplary” record and career and calling her “highly qualified” to be a judge to become.
The centrist Democrat’s support gives Jackson’s nomination a major boost after four days of contentious hearings. virtually securing her historic confirmation as the first black woman to serve on the Supreme Court as long as the rest of the Democratic faction stays on board.
Senator Joe Manchin, Democrat of West Virginia arrives Thursday, 03 The Washington Post via Getty Im“After meeting with her, given her background and following closely her testimony and cross-examination before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, I have decided that I intend to vote for her Supreme Court nomination,” Manchin said.
[Momentos alegres y divisiones partidistas: último día de audiencias para la confirmación de Ketanji Brown Jackson a la Corte Suprema]
“Her extensive experience in various sectors of our court system has made available to Judge Jackson a unique perspective that will serve him well before our nation’s highest court.”he said in a statement, praising Jackson for being “warm and kind” and having “the temperament to be an exceptional lawyer.”
Democrats have hemmed Jackson’s corner all week and so far have seen no defectors from presidential nominee Joe Biden. As long as all 50 caucus members vote for them, they don’t need Republican support, though party leaders remain optimistic of winning at least some GOP votes.
[La jueza Ketanji Brown Jackson se defiende de las preguntas republicanas]
Another Democrat from a conservative state, the Senator from Montana, Jon Tester announced his support for Jackson on Fridaypraised his qualifications and “commitment to the rule of law”.
The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Jackson’s nomination on April 4, with the full Senate voting later this week.