WASHINGTON — Texans in Congress and across the state reacted to the Senate’s historic confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, set to become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, on Thursday with celebration from Democrats and derision from Republicans.
“Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation has made history and is a significant step in our march toward a more perfect union,” Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, tweeted. “Her experience, integrity and insight will be invaluable to our nation’s highest court. This is a moment we as Americans can all be proud of.”
The 53-47 vote to confirm Jackson wrapped up around 1:15 p.m., though not before Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and other Republicans criticized Jackson’s record as a judge before her nomination.
Cruz and Cornyn joined most other Republicans in voting to block Jackson. But with three GOP senators breaking ranks earlier this week, confirmation was assured.
After the vote, as cheers and applause broke out among Democrats in the Senate chamber, many Republican senators, including Cruz, were silent and walked out before the ovation subsided.
In remarks released after the vote, Cornyn reiterated why he voted against Jackson’s nomination.
“Judge Jackson will attempt to use her vast legal skills to deliver specific results and get outside of her lane by making judge-made laws that are not supported by the text of the Constitution itself,” Cornyn said. “The promise of equal justice under law requires judges to follow the law regardless of their own personal feelings about the policies.”
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, like many North Texas Democrats, pointed to the significance of Jackson’s nomination and confirmation.
“History has been made today,” Johnson tweeted. “I am pleased that my infant daughter Lela will grow up never having known what it was like NOT to have had a Black woman serve on the highest court in the land. Congratulations to Ketanji Brown Jackson. May your service be an inspiration.”
“History made,” Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas tweeted. “Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson,” she wrote, referring to the exclusive title only those who sit on the nation’s highest court use.
“As a justice, I know that Judge Jackson will continue to fight for equal justice and uphold the rule of law and the Constitution, just as she has throughout her legal career,” Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, tweeted.
“Judge Jackson may be the first Black woman to hold this title, but I know she will not be the last,” Veasey wrote. “With Judge Jackson’s nomination, we are one step closer to having a Supreme Court that is symbolic of the diverse fabric of our nation.”
Democrats across the state congratulated Jackson on her confirmation.
“Congratulations to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson for being nominated to the Supreme Court,” Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, wrote. “Today, she made history!”
Houston Democratic Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green tweeted pictures of themselves with Jackson as they praised her historic achievement.
“Today is the day! History cannot be denied! The confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will be embedded in American history forever!!,” Jackson Lee tweeted.
“Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, welcome to the Supreme Court of the United States of America,” Green wrote. “Although you are the first Black woman, you will not be the last.”
“Judge Jackson’s nomination was historic and her confirmation is proof to young Black girls that they too can sit on our highest bench,” Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, tweeted soon after the confirmation vote. “Her roles as a public defender and federal judge bring to the Court a wealth of experience in advancing justice and upholding the rule of law.”
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