Washington, D.C. — Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says his “no” vote on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court isn’t meant to send a message to other federal judges.
Grassley was among the Republicans in the Senate Judiciary Committee who voted against Jackson’s appointment to the nation’s highest court. Before his vote, Grassley said Jackson’s approach to criminal sentencing was too lenient. Grassley said Tuesday morning his “no” shouldn’t be interpreted by other federal judges as they consider sentencing criminals.
Grassley says it’s his view that Judge Jackson has misinterpreted a 2018 law called the First Step Act, which Grassley co-sponsored. It gives judges more options to impose sentences that are lower than the mandatory minimum penalties in federal law.
The Democrats running for a chance to challenge Grassley’s bid for reelection this year are criticizing Grassley’s vote against Jackson. Mike Franken, a retired Navy Admiral, says Jackson is more than qualified to be the next U.S. Supreme Court justice and Grassley’s no vote is shameful. Abby Finkenauer, a former Iowa congresswoman, says after 47 years in office, Grassley is more interested in toeing the party line than confirming a competent and qualified justice. Glenn Hurst, a doctor from Minden, says Grassley is refusing to vote for the most qualified person to ever be nominated to the Supreme Court.
