Joe Biden on Thursday said he will make his Supreme Court nomination to fill Justice Breyer’s seat by the end of February, adding that the nominee will be a Black woman.
Biden announced Breyer’s retirement during an event with the justice at the White House.
“I’ve made no decision except one: The person I will nominate will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character experience and integrity,” Biden said. “And that person will be the first Black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme Court. It’s so long overdue in my view. I made that commitment during my campaign for president, and I will keep that commitment.”
As reported by The Hill, Biden said he will consult with senators from both sides of the aisle, leading legal scholars and Kamala Harris before making his decision on a nominee, praising Harris as an “exceptional lawyer.”
“I will listen carefully to all the advice I’m given, and I’ll study the records and former cases carefully,” Biden said. “I’ll meet with potential nominees, and it is my intention - my intention - to announce my decision before the end of February. I have made no choice at this point.”
“Once I select a nominee,” he continued, “I will ask the Senate to move promptly on my choice. In the end, I will nominate a historic candidate, someone who’s worthy of Justice Breyer’s legacy.”
