Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, declared that the way in which Republicans questioned Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson in her confirmation hearings had “triggered a hurt in so many people.”
Before the Sen. Judiciary Committee’s deadlocked decision to send Jackson’s nomination to the upper chamber, Booker — who vocally attacked Brett Kavanaugh as a supposed sexual predator in his Supreme Court confirmation hearings — said KBJ’s treatment made US women question “the absurdities of disrespect” they encountered in their daily lives.
“I’m getting responses from people, not just Black women, who are telling me their stories about having to enter a room where they’re more qualified than the individuals sitting in judgement of them and enduring the nonsense of disrespect that we saw Judge Jackson endure,” he noted.
“We’ve seen this time and time again with people who are so qualified, so deserving, and yet still have had to endure this type of treatment.“
“How could they slander someone like [Jackson] who has done everything correctly in her life and on her journey?” Booker inquired.
“You may write me down in history,” Booker declared. “With your malicious, false accusations, you can step on me like dirt. But still, like dust, I’ll rise.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee split 11-11 on whether to send KBJ’s nomination to the full Senate for a vote.
Booker became teary in his confirmation hearings, as several Republicans grilled Jackson about her track record of light-sentencing for individuals guilty of child pornography.
“You’re so much more than just your race and gender,” Booker sobbed.
“You’re a Christian. You’re a mother. You’re an intellectual. You enjoy reading. But, for me, it’s difficult not to notice you and perceive my mother, my brothers, and one of them came here to sit behind you. She had to have your back. I see my family’s and yours as well.”
“No one’s going to take your enthusiasm away from you,” he added. “You’ve earned this position. You’re deserving. You’re a fantastic American. You’ve made it here. And I know what it took for you to sit in that seat.”
