Grassley Acknowledges Fellow Republicans Treated Ketanji Brown Jackson Harshly At Hearings

Topline

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, appeared to concede that other GOP senators repeatedly attacked Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson during her confirmation hearings in order to make attractive soundbites for TV, after Democrats widely denounced their actions.

Key Facts

A video that’s been widely shared on social media in recent days shows a constituent telling Grassley that the Republican treatment of Jackson at the hearings was “appalling.”

The constituent goes on to say, “The main thing they did this for is so they can get TV time.”

Grassley pauses for a moment before replying: “I’m not going to dispute what you said, because I think that you described it accurately.”

Senators like Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) were among those who faced criticism for attacks on Jackson, specifically their claims that she gave light sentences to those convicted in child pornography cases.

Crucial Quote

“You know, that doesn’t apply to me,” Grassley said of his constituent’s observation, adding that Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) “complimented” him for his handling of the hearings. Grassley’s comments were made at a town hall on Friday, according to CNN.

Key Background

Jackson is anticipated to sail to confirmation when the full Senate votes on the matter next week, which will make her the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. All 50 Democratic senators are expected to vote for her confirmation, which would be enough on its own to send her to the Supreme Court, but at least one Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, will join them in voting in favor of confirmation. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced last week he will vote against confirming Jackson, but said he based his decision on Jackson’s refusal to state a position about whether the Supreme Court should expand—not the child pornography sentencing some Republicans grilled her over in committee hearings. Jackson forcefully pushed back on the claims that she gave light sentences to child pornography offenders, and the American Bar Association said last week there is “no evidence” to support Republicans’ claims.

Big Number

52%. A Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday found that percentage of respondents disapprove of the way Republican senators are handling Jackson’s nomination, with only 27% approving. More than a quarter of Republicans surveyed said they disapproved.

Further Reading

McConnell Says He Won’t Support Ketanji Brown Jackson For Supreme Court (Forbes)

Ketanji Brown Jackson Hearings: ‘No Evidence’ Supporting GOP Criticism Of Supreme Court Nominee, Bar Association Says (Forbes)

Susan Collins Will Vote For Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson—First Republican To Say So (Forbes)