Watch Live: Senate panel hears from outside witnesses on last day of Ketanji Brown Jackson hearings

Washington – The Judicial Commission of the Senate is convened on Thursday for its fourth and final day of the judge’s confirmation hearings Ketanji Brown Jacksonnomination to the Supreme Court, where senators will hear outside experts and witnesses from 9 p.m.

Jackson, 51, would be the first black woman to be confirmed in high court if approved by the Senate. She answered questions from senators during two-day questioning marathons Tuesday and Wednesday, in which Republicans pressured her to explain sentencing decisions in several child pornography cases during her time as a federal judge in a U.S. district court. United. Jackson repeatedly defended his record, explaining his approach to the cases and refuting the suggestions he imposed on lenient sentences.

Thursday’s hearing will include the testimony of three representatives of the American Bar Association and panels of outside witnesses convened by Democratic and Republican members.

Wednesday, 10 of the 11 Republicans on the committee access requested to pre-sentence reports that are prepared by the defendant’s probation officer and handed over to a judge prior to sentencing. Complaints are recorded under seal, as they contain very sensitive information, including information about victims.

Jackson repeatedly told senators that they did not have access to all the documents informing them of their conviction decisions. The request sparked a confrontation between Republicans and Judicial Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, who said he opposed GOP members’ request to see pre-sentencing reports in about seven cases. which they raised.

“The information contained in these reports is dangerous, dangerous to the victims and innocent people mentioned in these reports and unnecessary at this time,” Durbin said. “It’s just a fishing expedition in dangerous territory. Classified configurations, drafted versions of the reports, this has never happened in the history of this committee.”

Jackson, a Harvard graduate, said that if confirmed, she would retire from the case next quarter Harvard Admission Policies. He is currently a member of the Board of Supervisors and has faced calls for recusal in this case.

Democrats, meanwhile, continued to praise Jackson. Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, who is also black, explained emotionally how much it meant to him to see a black woman on the runway. Jackson seemed to wipe his eyes as he spoke.

“I’m sorry, you’re a person who is so much more than your race and gender,” Booker said. “You’re a Christian, you’re a mother, you’re an intellectual, you like books. But for me, I’m sorry, I find it hard not to look at you and not see my mother, not see you. “Those who were to come here and sit behind you, she had her back to you. I see my ancestors in yours. No one will rob her of the joy of that woman in the street, nor of the calls I am. or the texts. No one will rob you of that joy. ”

President Biden appointed Jackson last month to replace Liberal Judge Stephen Breyer, who at 83 is the oldest Supreme Court judge. Breyer will retire at the end of this term.

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How to see Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Senate confirmation hearing on the 4th