Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., questioned Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the Senate Judiciary Committee continued its Supreme Court confirmation hearings March 22.
He asked questions about her judicial philosophy, or what guidance she would use if confirmed to the Supreme Court. Jackson skirted that question directly, but explained her interpretation of other justice’s philosophies at Sasse’s request. He asked about the “originalist” interpretation of the constitution, which Jackson explained as interpreting the Constitution through a historical context.
“I am a strong believer, as I said, in precedent, in stare decisis, in predictability, in the rule of law, and the way the law interprets the Constitution is through this historical frame,” Jackson said.
Jackson was nominated by President Joe Biden in February to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. If confirmed, she will be the first Black woman on the high court. After opening statements from Jackson, her colleagues and the senators March 21, senators will spend two days questioning Jackson at length about her rulings and judicial philosophy. On the final day of the hearings March 24, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear from friends and colleagues of Jackson about her temperament and approach to the law.
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