Two GOP senators chose to disrespect Ketanji Brown Jackson. And it’s a bad look
And neither Lindsey Graham nor Rand Paul could be bothered to be on the floor for it.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to be the next Supreme Court Justice by a 53-47 margin, with three Republicans joining every Democrat in voting for her. That vote paves the way for Jackson to become the first Black woman to hold a seat on the nation’s highest court.
South Carolina’s Graham and Kentucky’s Paul voted against Jackson, which was not surprising. But it was the way they did it that’s worth calling out.
Graham spokesman Kevin Bishop declined to say why the senator did not wear a tie for the vote when asked by CNN. “He voted. His vote was recorded,” Bishop said.
Meanwhile, Paul delayed the final vote for nearly a half-hour before casting his “no” vote from the Senate cloakroom wearing casual clothes. He didn’t respond to a question from Barrett Thursday as to why he was late.
Senators typically cast votes from the floor of the chamber. But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had asked all senators to vote from their desks Thursday, a rare request that’s usually reserved for significant votes, such as Supreme Court nominations.
This is not normal.
Look. It’s absolutely fair game for Graham and Paul to oppose Jackson based on their own beliefs and their understanding of her views. But to not even make it to the Senate floor to cast what everyone agrees is a historic vote? It’s a bad look.
This story has been updated with comment from Graham’s office.
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