Manchin’s announcement is remarkable, as he is a moderate Democrat who is closely monitored and is a key voter in the Senate. His decision to vote “yes” helps stabilize the math vote for Senate Democrats to confirm the nominee. Senate Democrats hope to move quickly to a confirmation vote by the Senate plenary by early next month. They can confirm Jackson in the Supreme Court without the support of Republicans if all members of his House of Representatives vote in favor, which seems a good way in and Vice President Kamala Harris breaks the tie. It is unclear whether Jackson will win the Republican vote. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Sumer promised in a speech Thursday to bring the nominee to the Senate floor “as soon as possible” as soon as the Senate Justice Committee nominates the nominee. The jury is expected to vote on the candidate on April 4. Jackson appeared before the committee for high-profile confirmation hearings this week, which included heated questions from Republicans in the Senate. So far, no Democrat has publicly stated that he would vote against the candidate, even as Republicans have worked to launch potentially politically damaging attacks, such as accusations that Jackson is kind to crime, a charge the candidate and many Democrats have rejected. . As Republicans attacked the candidate’s record this week, Democrats praised her credentials and experience, describing her as highly qualified. Democrats have also consistently emphasized the historical nature of Jackson’s candidacy. If confirmed, Jackson would be the first black woman to serve as a Supreme Court justice. When the Senate voted to confirm Jackson last year to fill a vacancy in a strong DC-based Court of Appeals, three Republican senators voted in favor of the Democrats: Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Susan Collins of Lisa Murkowski from Alaska. As a result, these three Republicans were closely monitored this week. Collins and Murkowski do not sit on the Senate Justice Committee, so they did not have the opportunity to question the candidate during the hearings. But Graham is a member of the committee. The South Carolina Republican has leveled harsh and highly critical lines at the candidate, as he appears to be declaring that he will not support her candidacy. Graham told CNN earlier this week that “it is fair to say” he sees red flags with the candidacy. And Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska, who was one of the most respected Republicans for Jackson, said Friday night he would vote against the ratification, which means the Senate Justice Committee is likely to stalemate 11-11. . The candidacy would still go on the floor if there was a tie. This story has been updated with additional details and reaction. CNN’s Manu Raju contributed to this report.
