On Thursday, the US Senate confirmed the appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Joe Biden has appointed Brown Jackson to replace Judge Stephen Breyer, who in recent weeks has announced his desire to retire. Brown Jackson will be sworn in and take office in the summer when Breyer leaves office.

Brown-Jackson’s appointment will not affect the court’s political orientation: with it, justices who can be defined as progressive are only three, and justices with a conservative orientation—expressed by Republicans—six instead. However, it’s a somewhat historic designation: Brown Jackson is actually the first African-American woman to serve on the Supreme Court (the third African-American and sixth woman to be nominated in the court’s history), as well as being the first. A judge for the past 30 years. He worked primarily as a public defender before practicing his profession as a judge.

Brown Jackson is 51 years old with an impressive track record. She grew out of a long career as a lawyer, judge, and member of the governing body of the prestigious Harvard University, where she graduated in 1996. She previously worked on the Federal Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., appointed by the administration’s Joe.. Biden about a year ago. At the time, his appointment was approved by 13 votes and 9 against by the Senate Justice Committee, and eventually by 53 votes in favour.

This time the path was more complicated. Republicans tried hard to slow down his confirmation process, They attack her in different ways during exams: On some questions asked by Republican senators Washington Post It also tracks down some hidden racism.

However, confirmation finally came also due to the support of Republican senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitt Romney, who voted with fellow Democrats: the votes were 53 in favour, 47 against.