4/4 open thread and SCOTUS nomination news – Judge Jackson’s nomination advances to Senate floor
April 4, 2022
– Today the Senate Judiciary Committee deadlocked 11-11 on the vote to advance Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination to the Senate floor. All Democrats on the committee voted yes and all Republicans voted no. That required the Senate Majority Leader to schedule a vote by the full Senate to discharge the nomination and advance it to the floor. That vote just succeeded 53-47. Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney, and Susan Collins joined all 50 Democratic Senators. The final floor vote to confirm Judge Jackson to the Supreme Court will be later this week.
This is an open thread. We’ll post any breaking news.
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13 Comments
1.
ianbirmingham | April 4, 2022 at 8:30 pm
Senate overcomes GOP hurdle to advance Jackson
In a 53-47 vote, the Senate voted to advance Jackson’s nomination out of committee, with Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) joining all 50 members of the Democratic caucus in supporting Biden’s high court pick. All three of those senators have now said they will support Jackson’s confirmation to the high court.
In their statements of support, both Republican senators highlighted Jackson’s qualifications. Romney said that Jackson “more than meets the standard of excellence and integrity.” Murkowski, meanwhile, added that her support “rests on my rejection of the corrosive politicization of the review process for Supreme Court nominees.”
Despite GOP opposition in committee, Jackson appears to be on a glide path to replacing retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court. With support from three Senate Republicans, Democrats now have a significant cushion in case there are absences this week.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/04/senate-c…
2.
VIRick | April 4, 2022 at 10:10 pm
Bolivia: The Safe-House, La Casa Trans, Opens in La Paz
Per Noel Fuentes:
El 1 de abril 2022, se llevó acabo la inauguración de La Casa Trans Pamela Valenzuela en la cuidad de La Paz.
https://twitter.com/NoelFuentess_1/status/1509921…
The inauguration of La Casa Trans Pamela Valenzuela in the city of La Paz took place on 1 April 2022.
3.
ianbirmingham | April 5, 2022 at 11:33 am
'I cannot teach in Florida': LGBTQ educators fear fallout from new school law
Legal experts have said the broad language of the law could open districts and teachers to lawsuits from parents who believe any conversation about LGBTQ people or issues is “inappropriate.”
Nicolette Solomon, 28, taught fourth grade in Miami-Dade County for more than four years. “The law would erase me as an LGBTQ teacher,” she said. “Nobody would be able to know, which then puts me in the closet, and I’m there seven hours a day, if not more, five days a week. I wouldn’t be able to be who I am. And I don’t think I can bear to see the students struggle and want to ask me about these things and then have to deny them that knowledge,” she added. “That’s not who I am as a teacher.”
Some Florida teachers also worry that the law will worsen the disproportionate rates of bullying, harassment and mental health issues plaguing their LGBTQ students.
On Monday, the American Federation of Teachers, the country’s second largest teachers labor union, slammed the measure, calling it an “assault” on students and teachers.
https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-…
4.
VIRick | April 5, 2022 at 12:11 pm
Veracruz: State Congress Voting on Marriage Equality Today, 5 April 2022
Per Víctor Manuel Romart:
Hoy, el 5 de abril 2022, las y los integrantes del Congreso de Veracruz tienen que aprobar las modificaciones a sus leyes para que el matrimonio igualitario sea una realidad. Es una deuda histórica, y aparte, es acatar con lo ya dictaminado por la SCJN.
https://twitter.com/viko234248
Today, 5 April 2022, the members of the Veracruz Congress have to approve the modifications to their laws so that marriage equality becomes a reality. It is an historic debt; plus, it is to abide with what has already been ruled upon by the Supreme Court.
Per Cambio Digital:
Ante la Comisión Permanente del Congreso estatal de Veracruz, fue presentada la iniciativa que permite el matrimonio igualitario en el estado.
La propuesta la presentó el Partido del Trabajo (PT) y cuenta con el respaldo de la mayoría de las bancadas, pues hasta el PAN indicó que cada diputado decidirá si la respalda o no.
https://cambiodigital.com.mx/presentan-iniciativa…
The initiative that permits marriage equality in the state was presented to the Permanent Committee of the state Congress of Veracruz.
The proposal was presented by the Labor Party (PT) and has the support of the majority of the parties, since even PAN indicated that each deputy will decide whether to support it or not.
The actual vote in congress is now likely to take place in May.
https://formato7.com/2022/04/05/congreso-podria-v…
5.
VIRick | April 5, 2022 at 2:21 pm
San Marino: World's First Out Head of State Appointed
San Marino, the world’s oldest republic, has taken an historic step this week in appointing the world’s first openly gay head of state: 58-year-old Paolo Rondelli.
Rondelli will join Oscar Mina as one of the two captains-regent, San Marino’s heads of state, according to "The Guardian. "The captains-regent are the country’s highest elected officials and serve six-month terms. In their role, they supervise the Grand and General Council, the Congress of State, and the Council of XII. While they do not vote or have executive power, they do have the right of veto.
Before his role as captain-regent, Rondelli was an outspoken LGBTQ activist and a deputy in the Great and General Council, San Marino’s parliament. He also was an ambassador to the United States for nine years, a role that ended in 2016.
The medieval city-state of San Marino is located near the eastern coast of Italy and is one of Europe’s micro-states. It was founded in 301, and is home to nearly 35,000 residents.
This election marks a hugely progressive step for San Marino, where up until 2004 homosexuality was a crime punishable by prison time. However, in recent years, San Marino has trended more progressive, with same-sex marriage becoming legally recognized there in 2016.
While San Marino might have been the first to elect an out head of state, there have been LGBTQ heads of government prior, including Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabić, and Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg.
https://www.advocate.com/politics/2022/4/05/san-m…
6.
VIRick | April 5, 2022 at 8:05 pm
Jalisco Congress to Vote on Marriage Equality and on a "Conversion Therapy" Ban
Per Andrés Treviño:
Mañana, el 6 de abril 2022, el Congreso de Jalisco discutirá las iniciativas que reconocen matrimonio igualitario y que prohíben las "terapias de conversión."
https://twitter.com/andtrelun/status/151146368832…
Tomorrow, 6 April 2022, the Jalisco Congress will discuss the initiatives that recognize marriage equality and that prohibit "conversion therapy."
Because of a Supreme Court ruling, Jalisco has had marriage equality in effect since 2016. However, to date, state law has yet to be up-dated to reflect this ongoing reality. The ban on "conversion therapy" would be a new, separate measure.
Per Juan Pablo Galicia:
En Jalisco, tres comisiones legislativas han aprobado ya el dictamen para reformar el Código Civil y reconocer el matrimonio igualitario. Se prevé que hoy mismo se discuta en el pleno del congreso y se someta a votación.
https://twitter.com/jpgalicia
In Jalisco, three legislative committees have already approved the draft bill to reform the Civil Code and recognize marriage equality. It is anticipated that today, 6 April 2022, it will be discussed in the full congress and be put to a vote.
One can follow the Jalisco Congress session live from Guadalajara here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS7NHFkKfMY
7.
VIRick | April 6, 2022 at 10:08 pm
Jalisco: Political Party Composition of State Congress
Unfortunately, this Wikipedia chart listing the political party affiliation of the 38-member Jalisco Congress appears to be inaccurate and/or out-of-date (for starters, their quoted numbers only tally to 37):
18 – MC
09 – PAN
04 – Morena
03 – PRI
01 – PT
01 – Verde
01 – PRD
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mexican_sta…
Here is who is actually voting, with Hagamos and Futuro both being local parties:
16 – MC
08 – Morena (only 7 are present)
05 – PAN
05 – PRI
02 – Hagamos
01 – Verde
01 – Futuro
https://twitter.com/MemoJmzD/status/1511913123002…
One member is absent (apparently due to illness): Tomás Vázquez Vigil (Morena). Thus, of the 37 members present, 19 votes will comprise a majority.
It is now 7 April 2022. After 9 long hours, the Jalisco Congress is on their third session of the day/night and has still not voted on any of the proposals. Finally:
Per Gonzalo Kinich Fernández Bravo:
En votación secreta (con cédulas), con 32 votos a favor y 5 en contra, el Congreso de Jalisco aprueba el reconocimiento al matrimonio igualitario y prohibió las "terapias de conversión."
https://twitter.com/GonzKinich/status/15119346694…
In a secret vote (by ballot), with 32 votes in favor and 5 against, the Jalsico Congress approved the recognition of marriage equality and prohibited "conversion therapy."
8.
Randolph_Finder | April 6, 2022 at 11:13 pm
Is it common in Mexico for the state legislatures to be able to vote by secret ballot? I don't think that exists in the United States.
9.
VIRick | April 6, 2022 at 11:28 pm
Ohh, here comes the "quiet" part, as many claim it to be illegal. Earlier this evening, both Cindy Aparicio and César Briceño, two veterans of the protracted marriage equality fight in Yucatán, pointed out that the very basis of their legal challenge against the Yucatán State Congress hinged on the fact that that congress twice voted against marriage equality, and did so by a secret vote by ballot (por cédula) on both occasions. The Supreme Court agreed with the LGBT campaigners that that method of voting was unconstitutional, and gave the state congress a 6-month period in which they were required to re-vote in an open manner. A month ago, the Yucatán Congress finally complied, openly voting in a public vote to approve marriage equality.
Of course, Jalisco's situation is somewhat different in that that state has had marriage equality in effect since 2016 due to a Supreme Court "Action of Unconstitutionality" ruling. So, even if the haters attempted to overturn tonight's secret vote that up-dates the state civil code to reflect said Supreme Court ruling, claiming it to be an illegal vote (assuming they even understood all the messy, arcane complexities), they would still not be able to overturn the earlier Supreme Court marriage equality ruling of 6 years ago. So, for once, the messiness works to our advantage.
In the meantime, the Jalisco entry on the Wikipedia marriage equality chart should be up-dated, using the identical language as already found in the Puebla entry.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_i…
According to the actual video, the correct marriage equality vote count in the Jalisco Congress was 26 in favor, 8 against, 3 abstentions, (and 1 absent).
https://twitter.com/i/status/1511962367931920385
10.
ianbirmingham | April 7, 2022 at 9:59 am
US Senate votes to advance Ketanji Brown Jackson SCOTUS nomination toward final confirmation
The vote required only a simple majority threshold and was approved by a tally of 53 to 47. Republican Senators Susan Collins, Mitt Romney and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats in voting yes.
Now that this vote is complete, the Senate is on track to approve the nomination in a final confirmation vote later this afternoon. That vote could take place as early as 1:45 p.m. ET.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/ketanji-br…
11.
ianbirmingham | April 7, 2022 at 11:33 am
Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmed by US Senate as first Black woman on Supreme Court
The tally was 53 to 47 with Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining with Democrats to vote in favor of Jackson. Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the historic vote.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/ketanji-br…
12.
VIRick | April 7, 2022 at 2:55 pm
Edomex: New Marriage Equality/Cohabitation/Adoption Proposal Introduced
Per "Quadratín Edomex:"
El Congreso de Edomex recibió una iniciativa más de Morena para avalar las uniones civiles (matrimonios) entre parejas del mismo sexo, reconfigurar el concubinato, y que parejas gay sean reconocidas como adoptantes.
https://twitter.com/QuadratinEdomex/status/151218…
https://twitter.com/DipMorenaEdomex/status/151214…
The Edomex Congress received another initiative from Morena to endorse the civil unions (marriages) between same-sex couples, to reconfigure cohabitation, and that gay couples be recognized as adoptive parents.
13.
ianbirmingham | April 7, 2022 at 3:50 pm
Now that Justice Jackson is confirmed, here is the new SCOTUS lineup by birth year:
1948 – Clarence Thomas
1950 – Samuel Alito
1954 – Sonia Sotomayer
1955 – John Roberts
1960 – Elena Kagan
1965 – Brett Kavanaugh
1967 – Neil Gorsuch
1970 – Ketanji Jackson
1972 – Amy Barrett
Breyer's birth year was 1938; he is ten years older than Thomas.
The average birth year is now 1960.