Dems plow toward Supreme Court vote after testy hearing

Democrats are barreling forward with 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 confirmation after she emerged from two days of high-profile questioning largely unscathed. 

How far above 50 votes Jackson will ultimately get is unclear. Republicans are skeptical she’ll get more than one or two of their members, as GOP senators harden their lines of attack against her nomination. 

But top Democrats say that nothing from the Judiciary Committee hearing — which included tense moments both in exchanges with Jackson and testy back-and-forths between senators — could derail the nominee and prevent her from being confirmed by April 8, when the Senate is scheduled to leave for a two-week break. 

“It was obvious why the Judge’s nomination has won the support of everyone from law enforcement, to conservative judges, to scores of peers throughout her career. I expect she will reach final confirmation by the end of this work period,” said Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerRomney says Dems to send him new COVID-19 funding proposal Wednesday Schumer says he supports bipartisan talks on bill to lower insulin costs 50 years ago, Congress was advised to amend cannabis laws: What’s the delay? MORE (D-N.Y.). 

As he wrapped up the final day of questions to Jackson, 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 No. 2 Senate Democrat and chairman of the committee, announced that he’ll put Jackson’s nomination on the panel’s agenda for the first time on Monday. That sets up a committee vote on April 4. 

Several GOP senators on the Judiciary Committee used the first three days of the hearing to question Jackson extensively on her sentences in child porn related cases, leading to heated exchanges with the federal judge.

Ten GOP members of the committee also sent a letter to Durbin to suspend the hearing until they got a copy of documents including pre-sentencing reports related to Jackson’s cases. Durbin immediately rejected a request to pursue those documents, calling it a “fishing expedition in dangerous territory.” 

But GOP members of the committee dismissed a potential opportunity for all 11 Republican senators to boycott the committee vote if they couldn’t get the reports.

Sen. Thom TillisThomas (Thom) Roland TillisLIVE COVERAGE: Emotions, tempers run high on day three of Jackson hearings Five takeaways as Jackson takes tough questions from GOP Now is the time to rebuild America’s refugee resettlement program MORE (R-N.C.), a member of the committee, put the chance that he would skip the committee vote at “zero.”

Sen. Chuck GrassleyChuck GrassleySasse points to ‘jack-assery’ in Senate to oppose cameras at Supreme Court LIVE COVERAGE: Emotions, tempers run high on day three of Jackson hearings LIVE COVERAGE: GOP senators grill Jackson in grueling day MORE (R-Iowa), the top Republican on the committee, said that there had been no conversations with GOP senators about skipping. 

“I intend to go to work and earn my money,” Grassley said, adding that there was “no thought of” boycotting. 

The GOP criticism of her rulings in child pornography cases have also been met with skepticism by some centrist-minded senators. 

Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinManchin outlines energy policy objectives War means Biden needs a more muscular energy plan White House celebrates 12 years since signing of Affordable Care Act MORE (D-W.Va.), who has been a stumbling block for Democrats’ legislative agenda while supporting Biden’s judicial nominees, appeared skeptical this week of the attacks, telling reporters to consider the source. Manchin hasn’t yet said how he will vote. 

“It’s Hawley, right?” Manchin told reporters. 

Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyHealth Care — Moderna asking for authorization of kids’ vaccine Romney says Dems to send him new COVID-19 funding proposal Wednesday Romney knocks GOP attacks on Ketanji Brown Jackson: ‘There’s no “there” there’ MORE (R-Utah), meanwhile, said that “the attacks were off course.” 

“There is no ‘there’ there,” he told The Post. https://thehill.com/homenews/media/599372-romney-knocks-gop-attacks-on-k…

The Judiciary Committee still has one final day for Jackson’s confirmation hearing. Outside witnesses for both parties, as well as the American Bar Association, will testify on Thursday but Jackson will not be present.

Republicans have tipped their hand at Jackson’s ability to be confirmed, whether or not they vote for her. 

Sen. Ben SasseBen SasseJackson pushes back on GOP focus on child porn cases Sasse points to ‘jack-assery’ in Senate to oppose cameras at Supreme Court Biden trip set to project US-Europe unity vs. Putin MORE (R-Neb.) acknowledged to Jackson during the hearing that it was “very likely the last job interview you’ll ever have.”

Jackson might be on a glide path to being confirmed but there are still questions about how many GOP senators will support her. 

GOP Sens. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiWar means Biden needs a more muscular energy plan Graham ramps up tension with Jackson: ‘I think you’re doing it wrong’ Senate hurdles slow bill to limit trade with Russia MORE (R-Alaska), Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsGraham ramps up tension with Jackson: ‘I think you’re doing it wrong’ Health Care — Schumer searches for path forward on COVID-19 aid Schumer says he supports bipartisan talks on bill to lower insulin costs MORE (R-Maine) and Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamConfirmation 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 (R-S.C.) previously backed her for her nomination last year to the federal appeals court for the D.C. circuit, which is widely viewed as the second most powerful court in the country.

Sen. John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneSchumer working with GOP to try to get deal on coronavirus aid McConnell sidesteps saying if Greitens should end Senate bid GOP sounds alarm bells over Greitens allegations MORE (R-S.D.) has signaled that he would be surprised if Jackson is able to increase the number of GOP supporters. 

“I don’t think she’s winning any converts among our members based on her performance this week, but we’ll see,” Thune said. 

Graham is viewed as a “no” vote on her Supreme Court nomination, an idea he helped solidify during the first three days of the hearing to vent over the treatment of previous judicial nominees nominated by GOP presidents. 

But his starkest criticism was not directed at Democrats but at Jackson herself. He pointed to Jackson’s ruling on an immigration case as an example of “judicial activism.” He also grilled her on her sentencing in child porn cases, accusing her of endangering children. 

“I think you’re doing it wrong. And every judge who is doing what you’re doing is making it easier for children to be exploited,” Graham told Jackson. 

If Graham is a “no” vote it would be a shift for the GOP senator, who voted for both of then-President ObamaBarack Hussein ObamaHealth Care — Moderna asking for authorization of kids’ vaccine The omnibus is a climate moral and diplomatic failure  Obama remembers Albright as a ‘champion for democratic values’ MORE’s Supreme Court nominees and all of then-President TrumpDonald TrumpConfirmation turns nasty as GOP digs in on child porn cases  Biden asks Herschel Walker and Mehmet Oz to quit council or be ousted Former Manhattan prosecutor believed Trump was guilty of numerous felonies MORE’s. 

It could also cause extra procedural headaches for Democrats. 

Graham and Sen. John CornynJohn CornynSenate panel to hold Supreme Court vote April 4 LIVE COVERAGE: Emotions, tempers run high on day three of Jackson hearings LIVE COVERAGE: GOP senators grill Jackson in grueling day MORE (R-Texas) voted for Jackson’s nomination to the Circuit Court in committee but Cornyn went on to vote against her on the floor. 

Cornyn told The Hill that he wouldn’t split his vote in a similar way — meaning if he’s going to vote against her on the Senate floor, he’ll vote against her in committee. Cornyn hasn’t said how he will vote, but like most GOP senators is expected to oppose confirming Jackson. 

“No, I was just willing to advance the nomination and continue thinking about how to finally vote. But I don’t intend to do that here,” he said. 

Murkowski, who is up for reelection with a Trump-backed challenger, and Collins, have both met with Jackson and said that they would be reviewing the hearings. 

Asked if she had seen something in Jackson’s…