Tester, Daines start with mixed views of Biden’s pick for the Supreme Court

Montana Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines over the weekend issued statements on President Joe Biden's nomination for the U.S. Supreme Court, saying they both plan to review Ketanji Brown Jackson's record before announcing their support.

Biden last week nominated Jackson, a D.C. Circuit judge, to fill a vacant seat on the court created when Justice Stephen Breyer retired last year.

“I look forward to meeting with Judge Jackson to discuss her experience and qualifications. Vetting nominees to the Supreme Court is one of the most important responsibilities I have as a Senator, and in order to earn my vote, any nominee will need to demonstrate that they will serve on the Court impartially, uphold the rule of law, and defend Montanans’ constitutional rights,” Tester said in a statement.

If confirmed, Jackson would be the high court’s first Black woman judge. A native of Washington, she won bipartisan support for an appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit last June.

But Republic criticism of Jackson's appointment to the Supreme Court has begun.

“I’ll be closely examining Judge Jackson’s record and interpretation of the Constitution,” Daines said in a statement. “Any Supreme Court Justice must understand the importance of not legislating from the bench and upholding the Constitution. With that said, I’m disappointed that President Biden chose to appeal to his far-Left base with this nomination, rather than listen to voices on both sides of the aisle calling for a Supreme Court nominee who would enjoy strong bipartisan support and consensus.”