The Senate voted 53-44 on Monday to confirm judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the powerful U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Why it matters: The court is often viewed as a stepping stone for the Supreme Court, and Jackson is considered a favorite to receive a nomination if a Supreme Court vacancy opens up. President Biden has promised to nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court.
- Of note: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told radio host Hugh Hewitt on Monday that it is "highly unlikely" a Supreme Court nominee picked by Biden would be confirmed in 2024 if Republicans take control of the Senate.
Three Republicans senators — Lindsey Graham, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski — voted with Democrats in favor of Jackson's confirmation.
The big picture: Jackson is filling a position left vacant by Merrick Garland, who served as D.C. circuit court judge prior to becoming attorney general.
- Jackson graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, where she was an editor of the law review.
- She was once a clerk for Justice Stephen Breyer, the oldest justice on the Supreme Court.
