U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, met with U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson on Wednesday to discuss Brown’s record and judicial philosophy.

What You Need To Know

  • Schatz praised Brown for her dedication to the Constitution and commitment to equal justice under the law

  • Jackson’s confirmation hearings last month were a decidedly partisan affair

  • Three Republicans have stated their intentions to vote in favor of Jackson, essentially assuring her confirmation

  • Schatz said Jackson will help the Supreme Court "better reflect the diversity of our country"

Without revealing details of their conversation, Schatz declared Jackson “exceptionally qualified to serve on the Supreme Court.”

“Throughout her years of public service, she has demonstrated a dedication to the Constitution, including a strong commitment to equal justice under the law,” Schatz said. “It’s a record that’s earned her praise and respect from legal experts across the country and my support.”

Jackson’s confirmation hearings last month were a decidedly partisan affair with Democrats praising her broad qualifications and judicial temperament and Republicans accusing her of being soft on crime and dismissing her nomination as a racial activism.

However, three Republicans — Sen. Mitt Romney (Utah), Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) — have stated their intentions to vote in favor of Jackson, essentially assuring her confirmation in the evenly divided Senate.

Schatz acknowledged the historical significance of Jackson’s presumed addition to the nation’s highest court.

“As the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, Judge Jackson will make history and help the Court better reflect the diversity of our country,” Schatz said. “I’m proud to support her nomination, and I look forward to voting to confirm her.”

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.