Thread by @jbendery

Big day for people who care about courts and judicial diversity. Biden's first judicial nominees get their Senate committee hearing this a.m.

First up:

*Ketanji Brown Jackson, nominee to the D.C. Circuit
*Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, nominee to the 7th Circuit

Demand Justice is among the progressive groups making a big push to get Jackson confirmed. Her face is plastered on lamp posts around Capitol Hill today.

Lotta buzz about Jackson potentially being Biden's next Supreme Court pick.

Lots of Supreme Court justices once sat on the D.C. Circuit, which is where Jackson is up for a seat. If she's confirmed, she'll take Merrick Garland's old seat.

Today is a "historic day" for Biden's admin, says Sen. Durbin.

"Looking at this slate of nominees, I'm struck that they not only bring qualifications that are extraordinary ... but also demographic and professional diversity. We need it on the federal bench."

Durbin notes that Trump confirmed 54 judges (that's a lot) to lifetime seats on federal appeals courts.

"Not one of them was Black."

Sen. Grassley begins this hearing by asking Democrats if they're going to apologize to Amy Coney Barrett.

Grassley suggests Democrats walk next door to the Supreme Court and apologize to Amy Coney Barrett for saying she was going to steal the 2020 election for Trump and repeal Obamacare.

I do not think that is going to happen.

(Maybe they'd do it if Grassley and other GOPers apologized to Merrick Garland for denying him a Supreme Court?)

"The far-left group Demand Justice... says you can tell what kind of judge someone will be by their clients," says Grassley. "They strongly support [these nominees] b/c their time as federal defenders apparently caused them to pursue social justice rather than follow the law."

Congrats on the Grassley shout-out, @WeDemandJustice!

A note about Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, whose nomination I suspect Republicans will try to weaken today given the SCOTUS buzz around her.

The Senate unanimously confirmed her to her current seat on D.C.'s district court in 2013.

Voice vote.

Also... Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is related to Paul Ryan! Whaaaaat.

They're related by marriage. h/t @Spinsterellla

abcnews.go.com/Politics/poten…

Sen. Cornyn: "Our Democratic colleagues seem to be placing so much emphasis on race."

"What role does race play, Judge Jackson, in the kind of judge that you have been and the kind of judge you will be?"

Jackson: "I don't think race plays a role in the kind of judge that I have been and that I would be in the way you asked that question."

"I am doing a certain thing when I get my cases. I'm looking at the arguments, the facts and the law."

"I would think race would be the kind of thing that would be inappropriate to inject in my evaluation of a case," says Jackson.

"I've experienced life in perhaps a different way than some of my colleagues because of who I am.... I hope it would be valuable if I am confirmed."

Cornyn: "Are you familiar with an organization called Demand Justice?"

Jackson: "I know of Demand Justice."

Cornyn: Did you know they're spending $ to promote your nomination?

Jackson: I'm aware they are advertising.

Cornyn: Demand Justice says the Supreme Court is broken. Do you agree?

Jackson: I've never said that + not able to comment on SCOTUS as a judge.

Cornyn: Demand Justice says SCOTUS has been captured by partisan GOP interests.

Jackson: Again, not able to comment on SCOTUS.

Senate Republicans are all about @WeDemandJustice in this hearing.

Sen. Tillis is up. He begins his questions for the nominees by talking about... Demand Justice.

"Demand Justice is a dark money liberal group..."