This past week, I met with Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in my office to discuss her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. I entered that meeting with serious concerns about her record and judicial philosophy, having voted against her appointment to a federal appeals court just last year. Our meeting was cordial, and I appreciated hearing about her professional journey and her family. Yet she did not alleviate my concerns that she has a far-left judicial philosophy and would legislate from the bench. I will be voting “no” on her confirmation.

Jackson Would Not Disavow Court Packing

President Biden has pledged to appoint activist judges, and Judge Jackson has given us no reason to doubt she is that kind of judge. Throughout the Senate confirmation process, she has refused to answer basic questions about her record and her approach to the law. At one point, she indicated that she would restrict religious freedom when it comes to same-sex marriage. She was also totally unable to define what a “woman” is, a sign that she is likeminded with the far left on issues involving the transgender movement.

Significantly, she would not reject the idea of court packing. Left-wing groups have been pushing Congress and President Biden to add seats to the Supreme Court to guarantee favorable rulings, even though liberal Justices Stephen Breyer and the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg have openly opposed the idea. When asked directly about court packing, Judge Jackson dodged the question entirely. This was troubling, but not surprising, given that she was the top choice of extreme left groups who are pushing to rig the courts.

Jackson’s Record Is Too Thin

Judge Jackson has an unusually thin judicial record for someone being appointed to our nation’s highest court. In her brief time as an appellate judge, she has authored only two opinions, providing almost no insight into her thinking. By comparison, President Trump’s first two Supreme Court nominees had authored more than 200 opinions each during their time as appellate judges. Making matters worse, much of Jackson’s record from her time as Vice Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission is sealed and has not been disclosed to Congress. Senate Democrats have long acknowledged the importance of examining a nominee’s record, yet this nominee’s paper trail is largely hidden. Americans should not be left guessing as to how Judge Jackson will do her job as a lifetime member of our highest court.

A Pattern of Judicial Overreach

Brief as it is, Judge Jackson’s record raises serious red flags. It is telling that some of her most significant rulings have been reversed by the D.C. Circuit Court, hardly a bastion of conservatism. In one instance, Judge Jackson ruled that House Democrats could force President Trump’s chief counsel to testify before congressional investigators. That ruling was promptly overturned. She also blocked the Department of Homeland Security from expanding deportation efforts, a ruling that was dismissed out of hand. Additionally, she struck down parts of President Trump’s executive orders aimed at making it easier to fire poorly performing federal employees. When she was unanimously overruled, the appeals court said she had “no power” to wade into the matter. These cases indicate that Judge Jackson does not appreciate the limits of her role as a judge.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement on the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States:

“Last year, I voted against confirming Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to a federal appeals court because I had serious doubts about her record and judicial philosophy. After seeing her closely examined this week by the Senate Judiciary Committee, I stand by my original concerns.

“Judge Jackson has consistently evaded basic questions from Senators about her views of the law, the role of a judge, and her record. I was especially disappointed that she failed to disavow the idea of court packing, which radical left-wing groups have advocated as a means of imposing their will on the country.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today gave final approval to the Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2022, legislation which will fund federal agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year, provide an extra $29 billion above and beyond the President’s budget request for national defense, and dedicate $14 billion to efforts to combat Russia’s continued attack on Ukraine and threat to U.S. interests in Europe. The legislation, which was passed on a broad bipartisan basis, also includes many provisions for Mississippi projects that Wicker supported.

“After months of delays, the Senate has passed a funding agreement that will not only provide for the basic operation of our government but also send a message of strength to America’s adversaries,” Wicker said. “With an extra $29 billion set aside for national defense above the President’s budget request and a dedicated fund of $14 billion to support our efforts to combat Vladimir Putin’s aggression in Europe, there is no question that the U.S. military will continue to stand strong into the next year.

“Conservatives fought to preserve important pro-life provisions like the Hyde Amendment in this year’s funding agreement and won, despite Democrat’s attempts to remove these bipartisan provisions.

“This legislation will also make a major impact on Mississippi, providing additional resources for existing health care, education, economic development, infrastructure, and agriculture programs. I was also glad to advocate personally for many deserving projects in Mississippi that will now receive the support they need to move forward.”

Among other provisions, the legislation supports:

• Countering Russian Aggression in Europe – $14 billion in emergency funding is included for humanitarian, security, and economic assistance for Ukraine and Central European partners following the Russian invasion.
• Providing for the national defense – The $782 billion for defense funding represents a $29 billion increase over the president’s budget request and includes:
  • 2.7 percent military service member pay raise
  • $26.7 billion to procure 13 Navy ships, $4.1 billion above the FY22 request.
  • Boosting economic development – The legislation includes significant increases for the Economic Development Administration, the Minority Business Development Agency, and advanced research and development projects across the federal government.
  • Enhancing our nation’s infrastructure – The legislation builds upon the success of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to continue funding for infrastructure projects, including bridge replacement and rehabilitation, ports, rail, airports, broadband, water and wastewater.
  • Improving health care programs and research – The legislation provides additional resources for health care programs, including Community Health Centers, telehealth, cancer screening, and rare disease research.

The legislation also supports many projects important to Mississippi that Wicker endorsed, including:

• $370 million for Mississippi River and Tributaries projects.
• $99 million for the National Security Cutter Program.
• $61.25 million to rehabilitate Sections of the Natchez Trace Parkway.
• $34.5 million for 10 MW Generation Plant and Feeder Level Microgrid System at Camp Shelby.
• $15.5 million for Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site (MATES) at Camp Shelby.
• $11.1 million for Electrical Distribution Infrastructure Undergrounding Hardening Project at Camp Shelby.
• $9.3 million for Fire Crash and Rescue Station at Thompson Field in Jackson
• $4 million for two projects at the University of Mississippi to test graphene materials and improve weather monitoring.
• $7 million for two projects at the University of Southern Mississippi to test graphene materials and operate an ocean sensor calibration laboratory.
• $7 million for the Yazoo Backwater Area.
• $4 million for the City of Jackson to make repairs and improvements to the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant.
• $12.7 million for Mississippi hospital and medical facilities to purchase equipment and improve facilities.
• $16.64 million for Mississippi infrastructure and facility improvements, including Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Laurel Hattiesburg Regional Airport, Star Landing Road in DeSoto County, Beatline Parkway in Long Beach, Bozeman-Reunion Crossing Interchanges in Madison, East Brandon Bypass in Rankin County, Gateway Harbor in Long Beach, Rust College, Mississippi Water and Wastewater Workforce and Public Safety Training Center, and Greenville Federal Courthouse in Greenville.
• $743,000 to launch the Mississippi Small Business Tech Commercialization Center.
• $500,000 for literacy and education projects at Coahoma Community College and Cleveland School District.

 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement on President Joseph R. Biden’s selection of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court:

“The confirmation of a justice to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court is a solemn responsibility that deserves the full engagement of the U.S. Senate.

“Less than a year ago, I voted against Judge Jackson’s confirmation to the D.C. Circuit because of her left-wing, activist judicial philosophy. That said, I expect the Senate will accord her all the courtesy and respect that was not shown to Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, Miguel Estrada, and Janice Rogers Brown.

“I look forward to meeting with Judge Jackson in the near future.”