WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement regarding the upcoming vote on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden’s nominee to serve as an Associate Justice to the United States Supreme Court:
“I take my constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on appointments made by the president of the United States very seriously. I want to thank Judge Jackson for taking the time to meet with me. We had a very cordial and intellectual discussion on the critical issues of cooperative federalism and states’ rights. We covered numerous cases including Waters of the United States, the Clean Power Plan, the Clean Air Act, and Delaware Riverkeeper Network v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
“During our meeting, she said to me that she starts every case on its own merits and the text of the Constitution. Then she looks to see if there’s anything beyond that. There’s nothing beyond the text of the Constitution or statute under review. Cases should be determined on their constitutionality. Judge Jackson made it clear she provides great deference to the federal government even when such authority is not enumerated in the Constitution or intended by law. This is a fundamental difference in opinion we share. If it’s not in the law, Congress has authority to clarify, not the courts.
“I also have concerns about how far below sentencing guidelines she sentenced criminals and how very far below the average she sentenced child pornography perpetrators.
“As I’ve previously said, she’s more than intellectually academically and experientially qualified, but I worry her judicial philosophy is far to the left of anyone else on the court.
“Judge Jackson’s nomination is historic and her willingness to serve and be scrutinized should be applauded. However, for the reasons outlined above, I cannot vote to confirm her to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court.”
