WATCH: Sen. Mazie Hirono questions Jackson in Supreme Court confirmation hearings

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, questioned Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the Senate Judiciary Committee continued its Supreme Court confirmation hearings March 22.

Hirono discussed some of Jackson’s sentencing decisions on child pornography cases, saying in five of the cases that were brought up by Sen. Ted Cruz earlier in the day, the final sentencing matched the probation office's recommendations. Cruz and other Republicans have said that Jackson went too soft on her sentencing of defendants in those cases. Hirono also pointed to other federal judges who had similar sentencing records in child pornography who she said were confirmed without similar questioning. She also asked Jackson about her view on law that establishes precedence and how she establishes impartiality when considering a case.

“What I do and have done in all of my opinions is to apply methodology designed to ensure partiality and respect limits of judicial role,” Jackson said.

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. After opening statements from Jackson, her colleagues and the senators March 21, senators will spend two days questioning Jackson at length about her rulings and judicial philosophy. On the final day of the hearings March 24, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear from friends and colleagues of Jackson about her temperament and approach to the law.

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