Ketanji Brown Jackson's historic Supreme Court confirmation receives a standing ovation, cheers and praise: 'This is a watershed moment'

Sen. Cory Booker said he felt "immense pride and so much joy" after Thursday's bipartisan vote to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.

• Democrats gave a long standing ovation after the vote to confirm Jackson to the Supreme Court.
• "This is a watershed moment," Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio said. 
• Jackson was confirmed in a bipartisan vote, with three Republicans supporting her.

The Senate chamber erupted with applause and cheers after Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman nominated for the Supreme Court, was confirmed in a bipartisan vote on Thursday.

Democratic lawmakers and supporters of Jackson leaped out of their seats for a long standing ovation once Vice President Kamala Harris, who presided over the confirmation, gaveled in the 53-47 tally. All 50 Democrats and three Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitt Romney of Utah — voted for Jackson. 

While most GOP members shuffled out of the room after they cast their "no" votes, Romney remained, clapping to mark the momentous occasion. He was soon joined by Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat of West Virginia, who gave him a hug.

The historic moment came following a delay caused by Sen. Rand Paul, who showed up to vote roughly 15 minutes after the other 99 senators had. The packed chamber grew somewhat restless, with members leaving their chairs and speaking to one another as they waited for the Kentucky Republican. 

Less than two miles away, President Joe Biden and Jackson rejoiced as they watched the final vote flash across the television in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. The 51-year-old jurist will serve as the 116th justice and first Black woman on the Supreme Court once retiring Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, 83, steps down from the bench this summer. 

"Judge Jackson's confirmation was a historic moment for our nation. We've taken another step toward making our highest court reflect the diversity of America. She will be an incredible Justice, and I was honored to share this moment with her," Biden said.

—President Biden (@POTUS) April 7, 2022

Reactions to Jackson's confirmation flooded in from Democratic leaders and supporters on Thursday afternoon, celebrating the newest Supreme Court justice.

"We have all witnessed today that history has been made. This is a watershed moment," Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer exited the chamber with a smile on his face and two thumbs up. 

"This has been a long hard road as we tried to get to greater equality, less bigotry in America. And there is often steps backward. But when you have a day like this, it inspires you to keep moving forward," the Democratic leader said in a news conference.

Harris' presence at the vote further underscored the historic nature of the moment. Vice presidents usually only preside over the chamber to cast tie-breaking votes, yet here was the United States' first female vice president and first woman of color vice in her role closing the final tally. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, also in attendance, jumped to his feet after Harris announced the vote and joined in the applause. 

"I do believe this is a very important statement about who we are as a nation," Harris told reporters before leaving the Capitol, "that we have just made a decision to put this extraordinary jurist on the highest court of our land."

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which handled Jackson's confirmation process, said Thursday represented a major step for representation in the country.

"We want to make our justice system look much more like America and today, we took a giant stride forward," the Illinois Democrat said.

Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, a member of the Judiciary Committee who grew emotional during Jackson's confirmation hearings, said he felt "immense pride and so much joy" on Thursday.

"I see in her the affirmation of our ancestors who suffered the indignities of this country yet sacrificed to bend the moral arc of our nation towards justice," Booker said of Jackson. "They knew that America, though haunted by its past failings, was not bound by them and believed that a day like this would eventually arrive."

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus members ringed the Senate floor as they watched the vote unfold. Once it closed, Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri jumped up and down, while Rep. G. K. Butterfield of North Carolina, the caucus' former chairman, waved what appeared to be a handkerchief in the air.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Jackson "is her own person" but at the same time, "a symbol of what Black women were from the centuries that this country was founded."

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.