STATEMENT: CPD Action Supports Nomination of Judge Jackson and Calls for Expansion of the Supreme Court
Posted on February 25, 2022 by CPD Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 25, 2022
CONTACT: press@populardemocracy.org
NEW YORK - The following is a statement from Analilia Mejia and DaMareo Cooper, Co-Executive Directors of the Center for Popular Democracy Action, in response to President Biden naming Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court:
“We celebrate this historic nomination: finally, the Supreme Court will have a Black woman as a justice. Our legal system disproportionately negatively impacts Black women and people of color, and it’s critical for our courts to be more representative of our country, from local judges up to justices on our nation’s highest court.
“We are thrilled that President Biden has nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Judge Jackson is a highly qualified and fair-minded judge with an impressive track record on issues regarding workers’ rights, immigration, racial justice and more. Confirming Judge Jackson to the Supreme Court is a critical step to making our highest court work for poor people, people of color, immigrants and other marginalized people.
“As historically significant as this moment is, one justice alone cannot fix the Supreme Court. The conservative majority has weaponized the Court as a partisan tool for attacking the freedoms and rights of our people. The only way to undo, or even attempt to restore balance, is by adding seats. Congress must confirm Judge Jackson then pass the Judiciary Act to expand the Court by appointing four additional justices so that the Court can serve the people, not special interests and regressive conservative ideology.”
If confirmed, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. More on Judge Jackson:
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Judge Jackson was confirmed to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in June 2021 by a 53-to-44 vote. All 50 members of the Democratic caucus voted for her, as did three Republican senators: Collins, Graham, and Murkowski.
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Judge Jackson’s experience as a public defender would bring a much needed diversity of professional perspective to the Supreme Court, where the majority of justices have prosecutorial backgrounds and none have deep defense backgrounds.
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Judge Jackson has consistently worked to make our legal system more humane and equitable. For example, as Vice Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, Judge Jackson supported action to make retroactive a reduction in penalties for crack cocaine, resulting in over 12,000 people being eligible to request reduced sentences.
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Judge Jackson has also worked to make sure our legal system holds those in power accountable, such as her rulings against the Trump administration considering the appropriate exercise of presidential powers.
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ABOUT THE CENTER FOR POPULAR DEMOCRACY ACTION
The Center for Popular Democracy Action works to create equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with high-impact base-building organizations, organizing alliances, and progressive unions. We work on campaigns that promote a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda and win victories to improve people’s lives.
