Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney have announced they will vote for Jackson, joining Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who made clear her support last week. Jackson is expected to win the support of all 48 Democrats and two independents, giving her a majority in the 100-member House. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Statements of support from Romney and Murkowski came as the Senate voted Monday night in favor of Jackson’s candidacy, forcing the 11-11 Senate Judiciary Committee to send her to the full courtroom for consideration. “After multiple in-depth discussions with Judge Jackson and a deliberative review of her record and recent hearings, I will support her historic candidacy as a Deputy Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court,” Murkowski said in a statement. Romney said: “While I do not expect to agree with every decision that can be made in the Court, I believe it meets more than the standard of excellence and integrity.” Earlier, majority leader Chuck Sumer, a Democrat, said he would “initiate” the process that will lead to a final vote in the Senate later this week to confirm Jackson, a federal appellant, to life. Jackson will replace retired Liberal Judge Stephen Breyer. Her confirmation will not change the 6-3 conservative majority in court. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Report by Andrew Chung in New York and Lawrence Hurley in Washington. Additional references by Jan Wolfe and Richard Cowan. Editing by Will Dunham, Scott Malone and David Gregorio Our role models: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
