Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee questions Jackson in Supreme Court confirmation hearings

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., questioned Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the Senate Judiciary Committee continued its Supreme Court confirmation hearings March 22. Blackburn focused part of her questioning on abortion. She asked Jackson about whether the constitution protects the rights of people to have an abortion. Jackson said the Supreme Court considers the right to an abortion to be an unenumerated right. Blackburn also asked about Jackson’s views on critical race theory in school and transgender athletes. Jackson said giving her own opinions on those issues are not in her purview as a judge. Jackson was nominated by President Joe Biden in February to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. If confirmed, she will be the first Black woman on the high court. After opening statements from Jackson, her colleagues, and the senators March 21, senators will spend two days questioning Jackson at length about her rulings and judicial philosophy. On the final day of the hearings March 24, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear from friends and colleagues of Jackson about her temperament and approach to the law.