The nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court got a boost on Monday night when three Republican senators voted to move her nomination forward The Wall Street Journal reports.
The 53-47 vote is likely the same vote count Jackson will get during her confirmation vote later this week, ensuring her confirmation to the Supreme Court.
The Republican senators who crossed the aisle are Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
The three Republican senators are known as moderates so their decision to back the judge in a highly polarized Washington does not come as a surprise.
Romney clarified that while he does not agree with every decision the judge makes he found her qualified and honorable.
Late last week, Maine’s Collins indicated she would vote for the jurist saying after meeting with Jackson that she was assured Jackson would not bend the law to meet personal preferences. [READ MORE: Collins Backs Jackson for Supreme Court]
Murkowski is up for reelection in Alaska this year and said that she voted for Jackson based on her qualifications and judicial independence.
Murkowski does however understand the consequences of being a moderate in an election year, stating, “I have assumed a level of risk in doing this because it is a position that my conference has not taken,” she said. “You take that risk and that’s just the way it is.”
Jackson was not so lucky earlier on Monday when the Senate Judiciary panel deadlocked with 11. Democrats voting to advance Jackson’s nomination out of committee, and the 11 Republicans voting against it.
That vote is more for show, with a full senate vote of at least 51 needed in favor for confirmation.
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