WASHINGTON — Wisconsin State Senator Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to support and celebrate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as Jackson faced questions in her confirmation hearing to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

What You Need To Know

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson faced three days of questioning from U.S. senators on her recordIf confirmed, she would be the first Black woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court
State Sen. Lena Taylor said she was emotional while visiting Washington, D.C. to support Judge Jackson

“As a lawyer, it was not only historic, it was emotional,” Sen, Taylor said.“As a lawyer, it was not only historic, it was emotional,” Sen, Taylor said. “As a Black girl, it was emotional. As a state senator, it was emotional. So, I had to be at the steps of the Supreme Court and I had to stand on the steps to make my voice heard.”

Songs and chants for Jackson echoed from the Supreme Court to Capitol Hill in a show of support for the judge President Joe Biden nominated to be the first Black woman on the highest bench.

Taylor was invited to rally with supporters by NOBEL Women, a network for elected Black women in state legislatures. One of the group’s goals is to make sure that government at every level is representative.

“This moment in history is for our nation to really continue to make this a more perfect union, to continue to make justice for all a reality,” Sen. Taylor said.

Opponents of abortion rights also led counter protests outside of the Supreme Court this week. Sen. Taylor called it one of a few low moments this week.

“Originally I thought, ‘Oh, these individuals are playing the drums to support and calling the ancestors,’ only to find out they were people trying to just drown out the messages of the speakers.”

State Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee rallies in D.C. on Monday ahead of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings (courtesy photo/Lena Taylor)

The confirmation hearings also got heated. A few Republican senators sparred with Judge Jackson on her record and her views on what’s known as Critical Race Theory.

“Consistency matters,” Sen. Taylor said. “They didn’t ask those issues of others. It’s clear that it’s also part of what the political messages of this time. Did I expect it? Yes. Was it fair? Not necessarily. Did it happen? Yes. And did she rise to the occasion? She did.”

Taylor’s trip to Washington, D.C. comes four months after her last visit, when she marched for Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act while slamming the legislative maps Governor Tony Evers drew. While in town, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his map, sending it back to the drawing board.

“I’m excited that the court ruled in the fashion that they did,” said Taylor. “I am concerned on what process the State Supreme Court in Wisconsin will use to try to get to fair maps that protect the equal rights clause for African Americans.”

A new fight is ahead for Taylor as she’s since filed a friend of the court brief on the ruling. But she’s encouraged by the prospect of a historic new addition to the high court, someone who looks like her and millions of other Americans.

“What I believe that the hearings have shown, as has her credentials and her resume shows, is that Judge Brown Jackson is the best choice that President Biden could have chosen,” Taylor said. “And very candidly, the most prepared person to be a justice.”