indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. under clause 5-d of if rule 20, the chair announces that in light of the passing of the gentleman from alaska, mr. young, the whole number of the house is 432. and pursuant to section 1 147b b -- 11-b of house resolution 188, the house stands adjourned >> house members legislative business will resume next monday, march 28, and as always, live coverage here on c-span. we will return to the supreme court hearing of judge ketanji brown jackson senator hirono continuing her comments. sen. hirono: -- as the first

black woman to serve on the u.s. supreme court. a group of law enforcement officers from across the country said judge jackson bridges a depth -- brings a depth of character, public service, and judicial service that leads to but one conclusion -- she is eminently qualified to serve on the supreme court of the united states. you are an accomplished jurist, having issued nearly 600 opinions that demonstrate a clear, evenhanded approach to the law. you have cited with workers, employers, for and against the government, for prosecutors, and for criminal defendants. judge thomas griffith, a george w. bush appointee, summed it up best when he said you, judge jackson, work based on the fact and the law and not as a partisan.

having reviewed your record, i strongly agree with this statement, but you are not just extremely qualified to serve at the supreme court, your nomination is, of course, a historical and you're the supreme court has existed for over 233 years only five have been women, to have been black, and not single have been black women. this is a court that has decided cases that have sweeping effects on the everyday life, as a number of my colleagues have pointed out, including decisions that solidified right for the lgbtq plus community, decisions that have affected women, strengthened unions, and more. but this is also the same court that, throughout the course of history, upheld slavery, jim crow laws, and the unlawful

internment of japanese americans. for over 233 years, the individual making decisions that have altered the course of this country have almost exclusively been white man. it is pretty remarkable when you consider the power that this court has and the historical lack of diversity of the people who exercise that power, the justices, but instead of celebrating the long-overdue diversity judge jackson would bring to the court, so many of my republican colleagues and public figures have attempted to undermine your qualifications through their pejorative use of the term "affirmative action." they imply that you are solely nominated due to your race and not for other factors. some have even claimed that you need to show your lsat a peace corps, to determine whether you are a top legal mind.

this is incredibly offensive and condescending. let me be clear, your nomination is not about filling a quota, it is about time. it is about time that we have a highly accomplished black woman on the supreme court. it is about time our highest court better reflects the country it serves. it is about time that black women and girls across the country can finally see themselves, who look like them, sitting on the highest court, making decisions that will impact their lives. and they will know that it is possible for them to do the same. one cannot overstate the importance of representation. your experiences and your background as a trial judge, public defender, a mother, a black woman, and so much more provide you with a uniquely different perspective than any of the eight other justices on the court.

like your mentor, justice breyer, i know you will engage with the other justices, both liberal and conservative. you are a consensus builder. to share their perspective, challenge their views, and shape the court's direction for the better. with the personal and professional diversity ring, you will expand experience and knowledge of the supreme court and the decisions will be better as a result. before i end, i also wanted to mention, i was so glad to hear your reference constance baker motley during your introductory press conference at the white house. constance baker motley was an icon of the several rights movement, as a lawyer for the naacp legal defense fund, she helped craft the argument in brown v. board of education. that finally put an end to

separate vehicle. she was the first black woman to argue before the supreme court, ultimately arguing 10 cases and winning nine before the case that allowed james meredith to enroll at the university of mississippi. she became the first black woman as a federal judge, serving new york for 20 years. and in a world free of this combination, she may have been the first black woman to sit on the supreme court from 50 years ago. as you said in your press conference, you stand on judge motley's shoulders. i have no doubt there will be a generation of young girls who will stand on yours. i also have no doubt that you will respond forcefully to some of the allegations that have been lodged against you, judge jackson. i congratulate you and your family on this historic

nomination. i look forward to hearing from you this week. mahalo and aloha. chair durbin: thank you, senator hirono. now we will break and return at 2:05. when you hear this, we are back in business. and i thank you, judge, for her patience. [indistinct conversations] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2022] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org]

>> and as you become a 30-minute recess here, the first break in the supreme court hearing for judge ketanji brown jackson to be appointed to the u.s. supreme court. seven more members of the 22 member judiciary committee will hear opening statements after the break. and we will also hear for the first time from nominee judge jackson. our live coverage will resume with a gavel back in here on c-span in about half an hour. also available at our website c-span.org, and with the free c-span now mobile app. in the meantime, opening statements earlier today from senate judiciary can be chair dick durbin -- senate judiciary committee chair dick durbin and ranking member chuck grassley.

chair durbin: 108 have been white men. none have been a black woman. you, judge committed can be the first. prepared to