Ketanji Brown Jackson (left), Mitt Romney.Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty
Utah Sen.Mitt Romneyappeared to be the lone Republican to applaudKetanji Brown Jacksonas she made history on Thursday as the first Black woman to be confirmed to sit on the Supreme Court.
Video of Romneywent viralafter he was seen standing and applauding Jackson’s 53-47 confirmation, even as other Republicans in the chamber could be seen quickly exiting the room.
Romney wasone of threeGOP senators who voted for Jackson, along with Sens.Susan Collinsof Maine and Alaska’sLisa Murkowski.
While Democrats hailed Jackson’s lengthy legal career and cited her widespread support among outside groups, most of the Senate Republicans voted against her, in part citing opposition to her record as a defense attorney and sentencing judge.
When she is sworn in this summer, Jackson will replace retiring JusticeStephen Breyer.
In astatement explaining his vote, Romney said, “After reviewing Judge Jackson’s record and testimony, I have concluded that she is a well-qualified jurist and a person of honor. While I do not expect to agree with every decision she may make on the Court, I believe that she more than meets the standard of excellence and integrity.”
Romney, 75, has become something of a symbol of bipartisanship in a divided Washington, D.C. A former Republican nominee for president, he sometimes breaks with his party, particularly over issues of tradition and norms and the behavior of former PresidentDonald Trump.
During Trump’s 2020 impeachment trial — the first of two Trump faced while in office — Romney was the lone Republican senator who found him guilty of abuse of power in connection withhis Ukraine scandal. (Trump has repeatedly attacked and dismissed Romney in turn.)
Romney became the 2021 recipient of the annualProfile in Courage Awardfor that vote.
Explaining his decision on theTodayshow at the time, Romney said: “I sleep well because I know that I did what my conscience told me was the right thing to do.”
More recently, he’s crossed the political aisle totry and broker a deal on COVID-19 fundingand to discuss ways to overhaulthe Electoral Count Act, a 19th-century law that outlines how Congress counts the votes from each state that determine who is president.
Romney’s support of Jackson was a surprise insofar as he had voted against her for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, though she was ultimately confirmed.
His tone shifted after meeting with Jackson in person last week, he said.
From left: President Joe Biden and Ketanji Brown Jackson celebrate her confirmation to the Supreme Court on Thursday at the White House.MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty
“Judge Jackson and I had a wide-ranging discussion about her experience and qualifications. Her dedication to public service and her family are obvious, and I enjoyed our meeting,” Romney said in a statement following the meeting. “I appreciate the time she spent answering my questions, which was helpful as I continue my review of her record and testimony.”
source: people.com
