Democrats hope to complete Jackson’s confirmation before Congress departs for Easter recess April 11.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will lead the hearings. Jackson will appear in front of legislators during the first three days . On Monday, she will make an opening statement and take questions from the lawmakers on Tuesday and Wednesday. The committee will hold a vote on the nomination and, if it is approved, send it to the full Senate.
Jackson, if confirmed, will become the Supreme Court’s first Black woman. Jackson arrives at the hearings having a long and successful career as an attorney and judge.
The hearing will take place over four days
Monday: The hearings will begin at 11 a.m. Eastern Time (EDT). The Judiciary Committee chairman, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, and the ranking member, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, are the opening statements. Jackson will make her opening statement. She will be joined by 20 other members of the Judiciary Committee.
Tuesday and Wednesday: Both day will start at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. Each member of the committee will be allowed 30 minutes of questioning on Tuesday, and 20 minutes on Wednesday. Jackson will be questioned on Wednesday, but it is expected that the time spent questioning him will be shorter.
Thursday:Jackson will not appear on the final day of the hearings. The committee will begin to hear from outside witnesses as well as the American Bar Association at 9 AM EDT.
NPR.org will provide live reporting and analysis of the hearings.
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The history of the confirmation hearings at the Supreme Court is a legacy
The Senate Judiciary Committee votes on whether to send a nominee’s candidacy for consideration to the rest. This is why the hearings are such a prominent step in the process. These hearings help to shape the case of a nominee and bring up important questions or reservations.
Jackson was able to appear before the same lawmakers one year ago when she was nominated for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Senate ultimately confirmed Jackson, who was also supported by Republican senators. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Lindsey Graham. Only Graham is able to fill the Judiciary Committee’s spot out of all three.
Jackson’s next battle will be harder despite her strong candidacy, and some bipartisan support last year. Jackson’s battle for the nomination is expected to be more difficult despite her strong candidacy and some bipartisan support.
In 2017 the Republicans removed Supreme Court nominations from filibuster to speed up Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation to the top court. This change allowed Republicans to confirm Gorsuch with a simple majority vote, rather than having to clear a threshold of 60 votes — which they did for Justices Brett Kavanaugh (and Amy Coney Barrett) confirmation votes.
Nearly five years later, Democrats will be able use the policy change in their favor. The Senate is dominated by a small majority of 50 senators and Vice President Kamala Harris, so Democrats are able to theoretically confirm Jackson according to party lines.
Despite the support of the D.C. Some Republicans are still undecided despite the support at the D.C.
Jackson has been meeting with senators in the past few weeks. This is a standard procedure for all Supreme Court nominees.
Concerning the Republicans who voted for her nomination to the federal court, Collins reported that Jackson had a “lengthy, very productive conversation”, but she has not yet publicly announced how she will vote.
Murkowski is less reserved, calling this process “a different sport” than when she voted for Jackson’s confirmation to the D.C. Circuit Court.
Murkowski stated that there are nine people sitting on the highest court of the land. They do so for their lives and require a level and type of scrutiny consistent with their position.
Graham will remain relatively silent, a departure from his vocal opposition the day Jackson was nominated.
After a brief meeting with Jackson, Graham said to reporters, “Just stay tuned, and I will tell you how my vote works when it happens.”
Some Republicans have intensified their attacks against Jackson in the days leading up to the hearings
Republicans will likely focus on Jackson’s involvement in cases that relate to people imprisoned at Guantanamo bay when Jackson was a private practitioner and a public defender.
Republicans have repeatedly pressed her about this during her confirmation hearing to the D.C. Circuit court last year, and her nomination for federal judge in 2012.
Jackson stood firm when Sen. Grassley asked for 2012.
Jackson stated, “In all those situations, the views that were expressed were those of my clients that they represented in that capacity. The briefs did not necessarily reflect my personal views regarding the war on terror or any other matter.”
Recent weeks have seen Republicans come out stronger against Jackson’s criminal record and attempt to portray her as more lenient regarding criminal offenses.
“Her supporters look through her resume and deduce special empathy for criminals,” Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell stated on the Senate floor.
“It seems that innocent victims of crime and government prosecutors start every trial at a disadvantage. It’s not my assertion. These are the words of the nominee’s liberal supporters.” He added.
Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley who is on the Judiciary Committee condemned Jackson’s involvement in child sex cases last week. The Missouri Republican accused her, in a lengthy Twitter thread, of “letting child porn off the hook” while she was a federal judge. He then posted screenshots of statements she had made during these cases.
Sen. Durbin immediately denounced the claims, calling them “outrageous”. The White House described Hawley’s statements to be misleading and deceptive.
“This is toxic, weakly-presented misinformation.” Andrew Bates White House deputy press secretary said that “it buckles under light scrutiny.”
