4 years ago

Ketanji Brown Jackson Could Be The Nominee The Environment Needs

President Joe Biden has confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee for Supreme Court. If confirmed, Jackson would replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. Jackson would also make history as the first Black woman to ever sit on the Supreme Court, and she has the Support of several progressive groups.

Jackson currently sits on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and has an impressive resume, making her an incredible and finally diverse candidate for this role. At 51, she would also be the second-youngest justice to be confirmed. The House members and all democrats are applauding Biden for keeping up with his campaign promises.

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According to the Congressional Black Caucus, there are currently 28 Black women serving in the House, and this would be a huge win for Women of color everywhere.

Based on her previous rulings, she is likely to be more liberal than Breyer and less likely to compromise with the court’s conservatives. A six-justice conservative majority will still dominate.

Ketanji Brown Jackson is an intellectual heavyweight and highly regarded jurist who has dedicated her life and career to the service of others. I applaud President Biden for making history with this nomination, as well as for making the perfect choice.

— Mondaire Jones (@MondaireJones) February 25, 2022

Many groups celebrate Jackson’s nomination, as she will likely Support their progressive movements. “This nomination arrives as our freedoms and civil liberties are in crisis.” Planned Parenthood said in a statement.

The nonprofit, who’s currently fighting the unconstitutional ban on abortion, continued,

“It is clear that she has a deep commitment to public service and pursuing equal justice under the law, including safeguarding individual rights and liberties. And as the first Black woman ever named to the Supreme Court, this historic nomination is long overdue.”

During her seven years as a district judge, she has ruled on many high-profile cases ranging from federal environmental laws to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Although Jackson will not participate in the upcoming climate case, West Virginia v. EPA, she is expected to be confirmed in time to hear Sackett v. EPA. The case will ask to control the government’s jurisdiction over the nation’s waters.

Manish Bapna, president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a statement today,

“This year alone, the Court will hear two cases that could have a profound impact on the government’s ability to address the climate crisis and protect the nation’s wetlands, streams and waterways.” she continued,

“Those cases underscore the importance of confirming justices and judges, like Jackson, who respect precedent and recognize the government’s role in addressing consequential societal issues, like protecting the environment and public health.”

The Supreme Court nominee could bring environmental expertise to the bench at a time when we need it the most.

In October 2018, Jackson ruled in favor of the U.S. territory of Guam, claiming the U.S. Navy was responsible for creating a landfill on the island used to dispose of munitions and chemicals. Pollution from the landfill contaminated a nearby river, and Guam entered an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency to shut it down and clean it up. The territory sought and won back money as recovery costs because of how expensive the clean-up was.

Jackson is also an advocate for the black community and, in 2020, gave a lecture at the University of Michigan Law School on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“It’s great to know that If confirmed, KBJ will be the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court, making history and further diversifying a court that was made up entirely of white men for almost two centuries. This is a change that is much needed to bring in a new perspective,” said Preeta Sinha, founder of One Green Planet.

Jackson’s historical nomination is a massive step in the right direction for racial and gender equality. She will be a very valuable addition to the Supreme Court.