- Biden on Friday formally introduced Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his Supreme Court nominee.
- Jackson is the first Black woman in US history tapped to serve on the Supreme Court.
- Democrats plan to move quickly to confirm her to the nation's high court.
President Joe Biden formally introduced Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee for the Supreme Court during a ceremony at the White House on Friday, fulfilling his 2020 campaign pledge to nominate a Black female justice to the nation's highest court.
Biden praised Jackson, who stood behind him during his announcement, as a "daughter of former public school teachers, a proven consensus-builder, an accomplished lawyer" and "a distinguished jurist" who will bring an "independent mind" to the court.
Jackson makes history as the first Black woman to be nominated to sit on the Supreme Court. If confirmed, she would also become the third Black justice in the court's 232-year history.
"For too long, our government, our courts haven't looked like America," Biden said. "I believe it's time that we have a court that reflects the full talents and greatness of our nation with a nominee with extraordinary qualifications."
Jackson gave remarks following Biden's announcement, thanking the president and Vice President Kamala Harris for the nomination process.
She honored her faith, family, and mentors for the support and inspiration they've given her throughout her career.
"My life has been blessed beyond measure, and I do know that one can only come this far by faith," Jackson said.
Jackson is poised to replace Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton and has served on the court for nearly 28 years. Breyer, 83, announced last month that he plans to retire at the end of the court's current term this summer.
Jackson, 51, clerked for Breyer at the Supreme Court in 1999, early in her legal career, and expressed her gratitude for him during her speech on Friday.
"Justice Breyer, in particular, not only gave me the greatest job that any young lawyer could ever hope to have, but he also exemplified everyday, in every way, that a Supreme Court justice at the highest level of skill and integrity, while also being guided by civility, grace, pragmatism, and generosity of spirit," Jackson said. "Justice Breyer, the members of the Senate will decide if I will fill your seat, but please know, that I could never fill your shoes."
Jackson also paid homage to the first Black female federal judge in American history, Constance Baker Motley, with whom she shares a birthday.
"We were born exactly 49 years to the day apart. Today, I proudly stand on Judge Motley's shoulders, sharing not only her birthday, but also her steadfast and courageous commitment to equal justice under law," Jackson said.
Jackson has acquired broad experience in the legal field, with stints in private practice, on the US Sentencing Commission, and as a federal public defender. She currently sits on the powerful US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, which Biden nominated her for a year ago. Before that position, Jackson served on the DC federal district court for seven years. She is a Harvard Law graduate.
Jackson is married to cancer surgeon Patrick Jackson, and the couple has two daughters.
Democrats expect to move quickly to advance Jackson's nomination, only requiring a simple-majority vote for her confirmation. If no Republicans support Jackson, all 50 Democrats will need to be on board, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote, to get her confirmed.
