The News Not Noise Letter: Future Justice Jackson

In a historic vote, the US Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Judge Jackson will be the first Black woman Supreme Court justice after she sailed through on a 53-47 vote. She’s now in an unusual waiting period: she won’t take the bench until after Justice Breyer retires at the end of this term. More domestic news below.

UN: In a rare instance of reality triumphing over UN bureaucracy, the United Nations General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council for “gross and systematic violations of human rights.” 93 nations voted in favor of suspending Russia, 24 nations opposed the measure, and 58 nations abstained from voting. Russia still remains on the UN Security Council.

The No Votes: A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said nations that condemn Russia for the massacre in Bucha are making “unfounded accusations” and instead called for an investigation into the “truth and the cause of the incident.”

US Sanctions: Today Congress voted to revoke Russia and Belarus’ “most favored nation” trade status. That means the US can impose harsh new tariffs on goods from both countries.

EU Sanctions: The EU has agreed to impose an embargo on Russian coal that will take effect in four months. But they still aren’t banning Russian oil and gas.

In his nightly address Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy said that Western sanctions on Russia are “not enough.” He called for a total isolation of their banking system and a complete embargo of Russian oil, saying anything less gives Moscow “permission to attack.”

Weapons: Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba asked NATO for “weapons, weapons, weapons.” This as the Pentagon says Russia is resupplying troops for a sustained assault on Eastern Ukraine.

In a rare bipartisan act, the US Senate voted unanimously to advance a lend-lease policy making it easier to speed US weapons to Ukraine. The act was last invoked during WWII. The bill still has to pass the House.

During floor remarks for this measure, US Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer became the first senior US official to call Russia’s atrocities in Bucha an act of genocide.

Thursday night a US appeals court panel ruled that the US government can impose a COVID vaccine mandate on federal workers.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to be vice president, presided over the Senate today for Judge Jackson’s confirmation vote. No Black women voted, however, because there are currently no Black women in the Senate.

Nancy Pelosi tested positive for COVID-19 today as the coronavirus sweeps Washington. Surprisingly, she was not a guest at the Gridiron dinner superspreader event. But she was close to President Biden this week, prior to the positive test.

The New York state attorney general filed a motion to hold former President Trump in contempt of court for failing to comply with subpoenas for an ongoing criminal investigation into Trump and the Trump Organization. The motion includes a request to fine Trump $10,000 per day until he submits the subpoenaed documents.

A shooter in Tel Aviv killed 2 and wounded more in an attack today. Israel’s Prime Minister called the shooter – who remains at large – a “terrorist.” This follows weeks of violence in the region, with new fatal Palestinian attacks in Israel and a deadly Israeli crackdown in the West Bank.

Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Planned Parenthood both filed lawsuits today aiming to eliminate a 176 year old law that would make abortion illegal in the state. It’s all in anticipation of a Supreme Court ruling that could return the question to each state, making old laws suddenly relevant.

The Alabama Senate has passed a bill mirroring Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law that would additionally ban trans students in K-12 schools from using the bathroom according with their gender identity.

Spy intrigue: Two men with passports to Iran and Pakistan are under arrest, charged with impersonating federal agents. Four Secret Service agents are also suspended, accused of accepting odd lavish gifts from the pair. An agent protecting the First Lady was reportedly offered an assault rifle.

Pink Floyd reunited for a new song with all proceeds supporting the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund. The song features vocals from Ukrainian singer Andriy Khlyvnyuk’s Instagram video. It was taped in Kyiv just days after the invasion began.

In a rare event, the major spring holidays of Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and the Baha’i Faith will overlap between March and May. Ramadan Mubarak, Chag Sameach, Happy Easter, Navā Sāla Mubāraka, Holī Kī Badhāī, Naw-Rúz Mobarak, and Happy Holidays to all!

And for everyone who needs a smile, this is worth the click: