McConnell to vote against Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination

Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcCarthy draws contrast with McConnell over releasing GOP agenda McConnell rips Jackson on ‘court-packing,’ describes answers as evasive LIVE COVERAGE: Emotions, tempers run high on day three of Jackson hearings MORE (R-Ky.) said on Thursday that he will oppose Judge Ketanji Brown JacksonKetanji Brown JacksonConfirmation turns nasty as GOP digs in on child porn cases  Senate panel to hold Supreme Court vote April 4 Jackson tears up as Booker addresses her historic nomination MORE‘s Supreme Court nomination.

McConnell’s decision isn’t surprising — he voted against her last year for her appeals court spot and has signaled concerns through the week. But it underscores hardening GOP opposition to Jackson’s nomination and comes after McConnell held off in announcing he would vote until after the hearing.

“After studying the nominee’s record and watching her performance this week, I cannot and will not support Judge Jackson for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court,” McConnell said from the Senate floor.

McConnell pointed to several reasons for his opposition, including her sentencing decisions, questions about her judicial philosophy and Jackson’s decision not to take a position on expanding the Supreme Court. He also warned that she would engage in “judicial activism.”

“It’s a recipe for courts to wander into policy making and prevent healthy Democratic compromise. This is the misunderstanding of the separation of powers that I’ve spent my entire career fighting against. …I will vote against this nominee,” McConnell added.

Democrats are pushing forward with Jackson’s nomination after wrapping up her Judiciary Committee hearing this week.

The committee is expected to vote on her nomination on April 4 and want her confirmed before leaving for a two-week break. Democrats can confirm Jackson without any GOP votes as long as all 50 Democratic senators are united, and Vice President Harris can break a tie.

Sen. Dick DurbinDick DurbinConfirmation turns nasty as GOP digs in on child porn cases  Senate panel to hold Supreme Court vote April 4 Jackson pushes back on GOP focus on child porn cases MORE (D-Ill.), the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said that he was “disappointed but not surprised” by McConnell’s opposition.