Slightly greater than two weeks after Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell stated there was "no query" Supreme Courtroom nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson was certified to sit down on the court docket, McConnell has made an about face and now has questions for Jackson.
This comes after Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley accused Jackson of being lenient on baby pornography offenders.
McConnell was grilled Sunday morning on Face the Nation, and says he's now undecided on President Joe Biden's first Supreme Courtroom nominee. McConnell stated he'll now wait till Jackson's listening to to finish earlier than making his determination.
"I will take heed to the proof, I will take heed to the hearings, and by the way in which, she'll be handled significantly better than Democrats have usually handled Republican nominees like Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh," McConnell stated. "It's going to be a respectful, deep dive into her report which I believe is completely applicable for a lifetime appointment."
Hawley final week claimed that Jackson has been smooth on "baby porn offenders" as each a choose and policymaker.
"Decide Jackson has a sample of letting baby porn offenders off the hook for his or her appalling crimes, each as a choose and as a policymaker," Hawley tweeted on Wednesday. "She's been advocating for it since legislation faculty. This goes past 'smooth on crime.' I am involved that this a report that endangers our youngsters."
Hawley's claims have been debunked by some analysts and fact-checkers, however the accusations will probably resurface for Jackson, who appears to change into the primary Black lady to serve on the very best court docket within the land.
Illinois Democrat Senator Dick Durbinstated Sunday that Hawley's accusations towards Jackson have been "inaccurate and unfair."
"Decide Jackson has been scrutinized greater than any individual I can consider. That is her fourth time earlier than the Senate Judiciary Committee," Durbin stated on ABC's This Week. "In three earlier instances, she got here by means of with flying colours and bipartisan help, the final time as quickly as simply final yr."
All of this comes as McConnell, the highest Republican senator, revs up for the hearings whereas retreating from his earlier remarks of there being "no query" Jackson was certified to serve on the court docket.
McConnell stated he has already spoken with Jackson at his workplace, and that he requested her opinion about packing the court docket, to which he stated she dodged the query. McConnell additionally famous justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer, who opposed increasing the court docket past its 9 members.
"She would not do this. So, within the meantime, the committee will ask her all of the robust questions. I have never made a remaining determination as to how I will vote," McConnell stated Sunday.
"Usually, these Supreme Courtroom nominees of each events have by no means answered any of the questions. What they usually say is that, 'One thing may come earlier than me and I do not wish to prejudge how I'd truly vote,'" McConnell continued.
McConnell final June voted towards Jackson's nomination to the DC Circuit Courtroom of Appeals.
Jackson, 51, was nominated by Biden final month. Her listening to begins Monday and is scheduled to conclude Thursday.
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