WATCH: Sen. Klobuchar’s opening statement in Jackson Supreme Court confirmation hearings

In her opening remarks March 21 at the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said the judge’s nomination could substantially affect the decisions the high court makes.

“As we are here to confirm a new justice for [Justice Stephen Breyer's] seat, I urge my colleagues to remember his words about how the court must consider the effect of its actions on people's lives. How it must be able to see the real people at the other end of its rulings. Like Americans who are one Supreme Court decision away from losing their health insurance or one court decision away from the ability to make their own health care choices," Klobuchar said.

“The court decides cases with life-changing consequences for people,” she added.

Jackson was nominated by President Joe Biden in February to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. If confirmed, she will be the first Black woman on the high court.

Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app: https://to.pbs.org/2Jb8twG
Find more from PBS NewsHour at https://www.pbs.org/newshour
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2HfsCD6

Follow us:
Facebook: http://www.pbs.org/newshour
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/newshour
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/newshour

Subscribe:
PBS NewsHour podcasts: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/podcasts
Newsletters: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/subscribe