Durban, ranking member Grassley and members of the Senate Judiciary
Committee.
I come here today as retired federal appeals court judge with 15
years of experience on the United States Court of Appeals for the
D C circuit.
I come here as a jurist appointed by Republican President George
W. Bush.
And I come here as someone who understands that there are few greater
responsibilities under the Constitution.
Been serving as a justice on the United States Supreme Court.
It takes a jurist of high character.
Keen intellect.
Deep legal knowledge and broad experience to ensure that the judiciary
plays its unique role under the Constitution.
To uphold the rule of law impartially.
And not to be, in the words of Justice Stephen Breyer partisans robes.
Today, I have the high honor to introduce Judge Catania Brown Jackson,
a jurist who has all of those qualities.
When President Biden introduced her to the nation a little over three
weeks ago there, American people caught their first glimpse of Judge
Jackson's character. You may recall that she began her remarks with
an expression.
Of her faith in God.
And her gratitude for this nation, which she rightly observed, is
the greatest beacon of hope and democracy the world has ever known.
I first met Judge Jackson in 2013.
After the Senate had confirmed her nomination to the Federal District
Court as a trial judge. Eight years later, she joined the D C circuit
as an appellate judge after another Senate confirmation
I've had many opportunities to resume to review her work and observe
her work over the years a judge and on several occasions I reviewed
her decisions on appeal, although we did not always agree.
On the outcome, the law required I respected her diligent and careful
approach her deep understanding and her collegial manner.
Indispensable traits for success as a justice on the Supreme Court.
About her collegial manner.
That important feature of the justices. Work is often overlooked.
Although appointed by different presidents, the justices have genuine
fondness.
And respect for one another. We saw some of that in their expressions
of admiration and love.
For Justice Breyer when he announced his retirement
The civil manner in which the justices debate the large and vexing
issues before them is vital not only to the success of the Supreme
Court
But to the success of our nation
The Constitution requires that of all of us.
It goes without saying that civility of debate and respect for the
different views of others are sorely lacking from our public life.
Judge Jackson's life has modeled these qualities.
Perhaps most important Judge Jackson is an independent jurist who
adjudicates based on the facts and the law and not as a partisan.
Time and again, she has demonstrated that impartiality on the bench
sometimes ruling in favor of the government, sometimes ruling against
the government, sometimes ruling in favor of the individual sometimes
ruling in favor of the corporation.
Her rule is simple. Follow the law.
Some think it noteworthy that a former judge appointed by a Republican
president would enthusiastically endorse a nomination to the Supreme
Court by a Democratic president.
That reaction is a measure of the dangerous hyperpartisanship that
is seeped into every nook and cranny of our nation's life and against
which the framers of the Constitution warned us.
There should be nothing unusual about my support for a highly qualified
nominee who is demonstrated to her life's work her commitment to
the rule of law.
And an impartial judiciary.
My former former colleagues in the federal judiciary Michael Luttig,
Michael Chertoff, David Levy and Andrew Guilford, each appointed
by Republican presidents and all highly respected judicial conservatives.
Have also voiced their strong support for Judge Jackson's confirmation.
There was a time not so long ago when bipartisan support the president's
nomination of a highly qualified jurors was regular order.
Antonin Scalia was confirmed by the Senate 98 to nothing.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg by a vote of 96 to 3.
The rule of law is a fragile possibility in the best of times.
Today. It is literally under attack in Ukraine.
And his threatened around the world.
And in our own country.
By autocrats and their sympathizers who give lip service to the rule
of law, but then worked to undermine it at every turn.
As justice Scalia taught us so well for so long and indispensable
intra spendable feature of the Republic. The Constitution created
is an independent judiciary of judges who have taken an oath.
Not to a president or a party but to the American people.
And to God.
That they will be impartial.
Judge Lattanzi Jackson Browne has demonstrated her unwavering commitment
to that oath. I applaud this exceptional nomination.