Sen. Roy Blunt on Sunday grew to become the newest Republican to return out in opposition to Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Courtroom, saying he disagrees along with her judicial stance.
“My sense is that the president definitely had each good intention and each, each proper within the marketing campaign to speak about placing the primary black girl on the court docket. I feel it’s time for that to occur,” the Missouri Republican stated on ABC’s “This Week.” “I hoped that I could possibly be part of that.”
However he stated he present in conversations he had with Jackson on Capitol Hill final week that whereas the DC federal circuit court docket decide was “definitely certified” and has a “nice character,” her judicial views gave him pause.
“The judicial philosophy appears to be not the philosophy of what the legislation says, and the Structure says, and making use of that, however going by means of some methodology that lets you attempt to take a look at the Structure as a extra versatile doc, and even the legislation, and there are instances that present that that’s a her view,” Blunt stated.
The senator stated he thinks she’s going to “definitely” be confirmed and that it’s going to a “excessive level” for the nation to see her elevated to the Supreme Courtroom.
“However I don’t suppose she’s the type of decide that can actually do the type of work that I feel must be executed by the court docket and I gained’t be supporting her. However I’ll be becoming a member of others and understanding the significance of this second,” Blunt stated.
Whereas the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Blunt doesn’t sit on, is anticipated to vote Monday on Jackson’s affirmation, the total Senate has but to schedule a vote.
All 11 Democrats on the panel are anticipated to vote for her, whereas all 11 of Republicans are anticipated to oppose her.
Thus far, just one Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, has come out in assist of Jackson.
Collins was one in every of three GOP senators who voted to verify Jackson to the DC Circuit Courtroom of Appeals final 12 months, together with Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Graham, a member of the committee, stated he would oppose her affirmation, however Murkowski hasn’t publicly stated the place she stands on the nomination.
Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell additionally stated he’s a no vote on Jackson.
With Collins’ backing, Democrats seem to have sufficient votes to verify Jackson within the 50-50 divided chamber.
Biden nominated Jackson in February to switch Justice Stephen Breyer, who stated he could be stepping down from the excessive court docket this summer time.
Jackson wouldn’t alter the court docket’s 6-3 conservative majority.
