Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies on the second day of her confirmation hearings on March 22. She was questioned by senators that day for more than 12 hours.
In pictures: Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation hearings
Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies on the second day of her confirmation hearings on March 22. She was questioned by senators that day for more than 12 hours.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN

Updated 4:15 PM EDT, Thu March 24, 2022

Confirmation hearings took place in March for Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman ever to be nominated for the US Supreme Court.

Throughout the hearings, Jackson defended her experience and credentials as she faced criticisms from Republican senators on her judicial philosophy and legal record.

Jackson, 51, is President Joe Biden's pick to replace Justice Stephen Breyer, who announced his retirement in January. She currently sits on DC's federal appellate court.

Democrats hope to confirm Jackson in early April. No Democratic senators have signaled they will oppose Jackson. Many Republican senators are expected to oppose the nomination, but some have expressed openness to supporting her. In a 50-50 Senate, Vice President Kamala Harris could break a tied vote.

Photographer Sarah Silbiger was in the nation's capital covering the hearings for CNN. See Silbiger's photos from inside and outside the hearing room:

Witnesses are sworn in to testify on March 24. Some were called by Democrats and some were called by Republicans.
Witnesses are sworn in to testify on March 24. Some were called by Democrats and some were called by Republicans.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
US Sen. Amy Klobuchar, left, greets US Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat who was testifying on behalf of Jackson on March 24.
US Sen. Amy Klobuchar, left, greets US Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat who was testifying on behalf of Jackson on March 24.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
US Sens. Chuck Grassley, left, and Dick Durbin speak at the hearing on March 24. Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Grassley is the committee's top Republican.
US Sens. Chuck Grassley, left, and Dick Durbin speak at the hearing on March 24. Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Grassley is the committee's top Republican.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
US Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to the press after the proceedings on March 24.
US Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to the press after the proceedings on March 24.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
US Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, holds a note during the hearings on March 24. It reads "quote on CRT in sentencing" — a reference to critical race theory.
US Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, holds a note during the hearings on March 24. It reads "quote on CRT in sentencing" — a reference to critical race theory.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Jackson meets with US Sen. Michael Bennet on March 24.
Jackson meets with US Sen. Michael Bennet on March 24.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Jackson reacts to questioning from US Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, on March 23. A series of questions from Graham, which culminated in him repeatedly interrupting Jackson, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/ketanji-brown-jackson-hearing-3-23-22/h_075a3e15d5f7d4ceda8d402ec1539992" target="_blank">significantly raised the temperature of the hearings.</a>
Jackson reacts to questioning from US Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, on March 23. A series of questions from Graham, which culminated in him repeatedly interrupting Jackson, significantly raised the temperature of the hearings.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Cruz questions Jackson about her sentencing in child pornography cases. This was <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/politics/republican-attacks-scotus-nominee-sentencing-record/index.html" target="_blank">the focus of some GOP attacks</a> during her hearings. An in-depth CNN review, however, shows that Jackson has mostly followed the common judicial sentencing practices in these kinds of cases.
Cruz questions Jackson about her sentencing in child pornography cases. This was the focus of some GOP attacks during her hearings. An in-depth CNN review, however, shows that Jackson has mostly followed the common judicial sentencing practices in these kinds of cases.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Durbin reads from the US Constitution while questioning Jackson on March 23.
Durbin reads from the US Constitution while questioning Jackson on March 23.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Jackson is joined by her husband, Patrick, and her daughter Leila as she arrives to the hearing room on March 23.
Jackson is joined by her husband, Patrick, and her daughter Leila as she arrives to the hearing room on March 23.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
A sign showing support for Jackson's confirmation is seen in Washington, DC, on March 23.
A sign showing support for Jackson's confirmation is seen in Washington, DC, on March 23.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
US Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California, questions Jackson on March 23.
US Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California, questions Jackson on March 23.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Photographers cover the hearing on March 23.
Photographers cover the hearing on March 23.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Newspapers are seen in the Capitol newsroom on March 23.
Newspapers are seen in the Capitol newsroom on March 23.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
A reporter works in a Capitol Hill phone booth as a nearby television streams the hearing on March 23.
A reporter works in a Capitol Hill phone booth as a nearby television streams the hearing on March 23.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Jackson walks through the hallways of the Dirksen Senate Office Building during a break on March 23.
Jackson walks through the hallways of the Dirksen Senate Office Building during a break on March 23.
Sarah Sillbiger for CNN
A Senate staffer sits next to a binder with the title "Talking Points and Memo for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson."
A Senate staffer sits next to a binder with the title "Talking Points and Memo for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson."
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
A handwritten note at a reporter's desk shows the senators' speaking order on March 23.
A handwritten note at a reporter's desk shows the senators' speaking order on March 23.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Graham questions Jackson on March 23. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/ketanji-brown-jackson-hearing-3-23-22/h_075a3e15d5f7d4ceda8d402ec1539992" target="_blank">Democrats bristled</a> at Graham's testy questioning of Jackson.
Graham questions Jackson on March 23. Democrats bristled at Graham's testy questioning of Jackson.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
US Sens. Jon Ossoff and Amy Klobuchar joke with photographers ahead of the hearing on March 23. "It's a funny relationship to sit next to people for upwards of 12 hours without speaking," photographer Sarah Silbiger said. "We're always grateful when a lawmaker breaks the fourth wall to share a laugh."
US Sens. Jon Ossoff and Amy Klobuchar joke with photographers ahead of the hearing on March 23. "It's a funny relationship to sit next to people for upwards of 12 hours without speaking," photographer Sarah Silbiger said. "We're always grateful when a lawmaker breaks the fourth wall to share a laugh."
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Jackson hugs former US Sen. Doug Jones on March 23. Jones had been advising Jackson during the hearings.
Jackson hugs former US Sen. Doug Jones on March 23. Jones had been advising Jackson during the hearings.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Durbin and Grassley talk before the start of proceedings on March 23.
Durbin and Grassley talk before the start of proceedings on March 23.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Jackson is seen on a video screen in the hearing room on March 22.
Jackson is seen on a video screen in the hearing room on March 22.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Durbin, center, questions Jackson on March 22.
Durbin, center, questions Jackson on March 22.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
US Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, questions Jackson on March 22. Hawley charged that Jackson has been too lenient in sentencing child pornography cases. Jackson forcefully rebutted the accusations and referred to the issue as a "sickening and egregious crime." <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/politics/republican-attacks-scotus-nominee-sentencing-record/index.html" target="_blank">An in-depth CNN review</a> of the material in question shows that Jackson has mostly followed the common judicial sentencing practices in these kinds of cases.
US Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, questions Jackson on March 22. Hawley charged that Jackson has been too lenient in sentencing child pornography cases. Jackson forcefully rebutted the accusations and referred to the issue as a "sickening and egregious crime." An in-depth CNN review of the material in question shows that Jackson has mostly followed the common judicial sentencing practices in these kinds of cases.
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
"Photographers always like to bring out their longest lenses for these types of events," Silbiger said. "Watching someone react under pressure from the vantage point of essentially a telescope is unlike anything else. When the moment becomes emotional, you can see even the tiniest reaction play out on their face."
"Photographers always like to bring out their longest lenses for these types of events," Silbiger said. "Watching someone react under pressure from the vantage point of essentially a telescope is unlike anything else. When the moment becomes emotional, you can see even the tiniest reaction play out on their face."
Sarah Silbiger for CNN