Highlights from Senate vote to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson

Jackson in her opening remarks honored Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who she clerked for and whose seat she would fill if confirmed.

She said, "I know that I could never fill his shoes. But if confirmed, I would hope to carry on his spirit."

She quoted something Breyer said on the day of his own nomination to the Supreme Court: "What is law supposed to do, seen as a whole? It is supposed to allow all people -- all people -- to live together in a society, where they have so many different views, so many different needs, to live together in a way that is more harmonious, that is better, so that they can work productively together.”

Jackson vowed, "If I am confirmed, I commit to you that I will work productively to support and defend the Constitution and the grand experiment of American democracy that has endured over these past 246 years."

After thanking her parents, siblings, husband and in-laws for being in the hearing room to support her, Jackson reserved a "special moment" in her introduction to thank her daughters, Talia, 21, and Leila, 17.

"Girls, I know it has not been easy as I have tried to navigate the challenges of juggling my career and motherhood. And I fully admit that I did not always get the balance right, but I hope that you have seen that with hard work, determination and love, it can be done," she said.

"I am so looking forward to seeing what each of you chooses to do with your amazing lives in this incredible country. I love you so much," Jackson added.

Jackson's husband, Patrick, a general surgeon, was seen wiping away tears in the chamber as Jackson spoke.

Ketanji Brown Jackson in her opening remarks said she wanted to "reaffirm my thanks to God, for it is faith that sustains me at this moment. Even prior to today, I can honestly say that my life had been blessed beyond measure."

With her parents looking on, Jackson addressed how her parents "experienced lawful racial segregation first-hand" and moved from Miami to Washington, D.C. before she was born.

"My parents taught me that, unlike the many barriers that they had had to face growing up, my path was clearer, such that if I worked hard and believed in myself, in America I could do anything or be anything I wanted to be," she said. "Like so many families in this country, they worked long hours and sacrificed to provide their children every opportunity to reach their God-given potential. My parents have been married for 54 years, and they are here with me today; I cannot possibly thank them enough for everything they’ve done for me."

Judge Jackson's second introducer, professor Lisa Fairfax of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, was her roommate for most of college and law school at Harvard University and spoke to Jackson's personal side.

Fairfax described Jackson as a “sister” and “the friend that makes sure we all belong too.”

“She showed us how by the power of her example of hard work, preparation, and excellence that transformed the seemingly impossible into the achievable,” she said, calling her the “rock” of their friend group.

“We knew early on she could be anything she chose to be, but also that she seemed destined to be a judge because of her ability to see all sides,” she continued. “Above all, Ketanji is humble enough not to pretend she knows how to have it all, but she does know how to give it all. What she gives to her family, her friends, she also gives to the law -- and this country.”