Surprise, surprise, surprise:
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley will vote against Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's U.S. Supreme Court nomination.
"Having carefully studied her record, unfortunately, I think she and I have fundamentally different views on the role judges should play in our system of government," Grassley will say Monday during a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to prepared remarks shared with the Des Moines Register. "Because of those disagreements, I can’t support her nomination."
The committee, which is made up of 11 Republicans and 11 Democrats, is expected to deadlock on her nomination. Democrats can still advance Jackson's nomination, and a vote of the full Senate is expected this week before lawmakers leave for Easter recess.
The Senate is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, and Jackson needs a simple majority to be confirmed. Two swing voters, Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, have both said they would support her nomination, all but guaranteeing her confirmation.
Grassley, who is the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, previously complimented Jackson as “very graceful” and “very smart in her answers" after several days of confirmation hearings before the committee. However, he also said she’s “done a good job of sidestepping important questions,” particularly around whether she believes in adding seats to the Supreme Court.
Grassley also has complimented committee chair Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, for how he's handled the process. Though he said he's been disappointed that some records of Jackson's records requested were not made available to the committee.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley will vote against Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's U.S. Supreme Court nomination.
"Having carefully studied her record, unfortunately, I think she and I have fundamentally different views on the role judges should play in our system of government," Grassley will say Monday during a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to prepared remarks shared with the Des Moines Register. "Because of those disagreements, I can’t support her nomination."
The committee, which is made up of 11 Republicans and 11 Democrats, is expected to deadlock on her nomination. Democrats can still advance Jackson's nomination, and a vote of the full Senate is expected this week before lawmakers leave for Easter recess.
The Senate is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, and Jackson needs a simple majority to be confirmed. Two swing voters, Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, have both said they would support her nomination, all but guaranteeing her confirmation.
Grassley, who is the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, previously complimented Jackson as “very graceful” and “very smart in her answers" after several days of confirmation hearings before the committee. However, he also said she’s “done a good job of sidestepping important questions,” particularly around whether she believes in adding seats to the Supreme Court.
Grassley also has complimented committee chair Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, for how he's handled the process. Though he said he's been disappointed that some records of Jackson's records requested were not made available to the committee.
Sen. Chuck Grassley votes 'no' on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court
Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley announced Monday he would not support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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