WASHINGTON, DC – Today, as the U.S. Supreme Court opened its new term with a new justice, Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, U.S. Senator Jack Reed issued the following statement:

“I have high hopes for Justice Jackson.  She brings a valuable perspective to the court and I know she will be a fair and impartial jurist who will faithfully adhere to both the letter and spirit of the Constitution. 

“She takes her seat on the highest court in the land at a time when the public’s confidence in the legitimacy of this Supreme Court is at a historic low.  Her service will help restore the American people’s faith in the fairness of the Court and our justice system.

“The Supreme Court kicks off a new nine-month term today and will consider many hot button issues.  I hope each justice will put reason and fidelity to the law ahead of partisanship and the kind of tortured, ideological ruling that was used to tear down Roe v. Wade and take away a woman’s right to choose.

“The best way to restore confidence in the Supreme Court is by ensuring the institution serves as a truly independent judicial body.”