Speaker Heastie Statement on President Biden's Nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court

Today, President Biden has made history by nominating Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. As the first Black woman to be nominated to the Court, this historic and long overdue nomination is especially poignant during Black History Month.

Having served as a public defender, a federal district judge and a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson has proven herself extremely qualified and will offer a unique and valuable perspective for our nation’s highest court.

In addition to her distinction as the first Black woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court, when confirmed, she will also become the first former federal public defender to serve on the Court. I am confident that her background will make her uniquely suited to protect our Constitution and ensure equal justice under the law.

I commend President Biden for making this historic nomination and ensuring that our nation’s highest court is representative of the people it serves.