WASHINGTON, DC -- After a one-on-one meeting with Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) announced he will vote in favor of her nomination to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. 

This will mark the fourth time Senator Reed will offer his stamp of approval in favor of her nomination.  The first time was in 2010, after President Obama nominated Jackson to become vice chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.  Then in 2012, Senator Reed supported her nomination to serve on the federal District Court in Washington, DC, where she served for eight years.  Last June, after President Biden nominated Jackson for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit, Senator Reed was again among a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators who backed her nomination.

Today, Senator Reed reaffirmed his strong support for Judge Jackson to sit on the highest court in the land, and in doing so, make history as the first Black woman and first former federal public defender to ever serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Judge Jackson is exceptional, exemplary, and extremely well qualified.  As a judge, she has proven herself to be an impartial arbiter of justice for all.  I am confident she will make an outstanding Supreme Court Justice and I proudly support her nomination.

“During her hearings, the American people got to see Judge Jackson’s principled wisdom, thoughtfulness, and integrity firsthand.  Today, she continued to impress me in our meeting as we discussed an array of issues that are important to Rhode Islanders and working families everywhere.

“Rare is the judge who is endorsed by such a broad cross-section of the legal community: from public defenders to 83 Republican and Democratic former state attorneys general, from the National Education Association to the Fraternal Order of Police.  Judge Jackson’s keen intellect and sterling credentials are undeniable.

“Not since Justice Thurgood Marshall has our nation had a Supreme Court Justice with a criminal defense background.  And I know Judge Jackson will always uphold the Constitution and defend the public good.  In word and deed, Judge Jackson has demonstrated a commitment to equal protection under the law.

“Today, I am reminded of one of Justice Marshall’s many famous quotes: “I wish I could say that racism and prejudice were only distant memories. We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust…We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better.”

“In elevating Judge Jackson to the Supreme Court, America is in fact doing better.  Her journey to this point is inspiring.  She can help restore people’s faith in the fairness of the Supreme Court and ensure it better reflects the diversity of our great nation and truly represents the interests of all Americans.

“Judge Jackson is a trailblazer.  While her individual accomplishments are personal, her ascension to the Supreme Court is a uniquely American triumph that ‘We The People’ can all share pride in.

“I look forward to once again casting my vote for her confirmation.”