Here's what Senators John Kennedy, Bill Cassidy have to say about Supreme Court pick

Greg Hilburn, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
·1 min read
epa07051721 Senator John Kennedy (L), R-La., listens to Christine Blasey Ford, (unseen) testify during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, 27 September 2018. US President Donald J. Trump's nominee to be a US Supreme Court associate justice Brett Kavanaugh is in a tumultuous confirmation process as multiple women have accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. EPA-EFE/TOM WILLIAMS / POOL
epa07051721 Senator John Kennedy (L), R-La., listens to Christine Blasey Ford, (unseen) testify during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, 27 September 2018. US President Donald J. Trump's nominee to be a US Supreme Court associate justice Brett Kavanaugh is in a tumultuous confirmation process as multiple women have accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. EPA-EFE/TOM WILLIAMS / POOL
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy speaks to reporters after qualifying for reelection July 24, 2020.
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy speaks to reporters after qualifying for reelection July 24, 2020.

Louisiana Republican U.S. Sens. John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy both said they're reserving judgement on Democratic President Joe Biden's nomination of U.S. Circuit Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.

If Jackson is confirmed by the U.S. Senate she will be the first Black woman to serve on the nation's highest court.

Biden announced Friday his intent to nominate Jackson.

Kennedy serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee that will hold hearings on Jackson's nomination.

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"I look forward to meeting with Judge Jackson and learning more about her," Kennedy said in a text to USA Today Network.

Cassidy said he will similarly vet Jackson and her credentials.

“Potential Supreme Court justices must be committed to strictly upholding the rule of law, applying the law as written, and respecting Americans’ Constitutional rights, especially individual freedoms," Cassidy said in a statement. "I look forward to meeting with Judge Jackson in person and will thoroughly review her record.”

If confirmed Jackson will replace retiring Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, who is considered a liberal on the conservative-majority court.

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Jackson, 51, is a federal appeals court judge in Washington, D.C., and has been considered the favorite for the nomination.

She was recently confirmed by the Senate with bipartisan support, a signal Biden is seeking a less contentious confirmation than has been the case for recent nominees.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Senators John Kennedy, Bill Cassidy react to Supreme Court nomination