Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is Retiring. What's Next?

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🗓️ 31 January 2022

⏱️ 32 minutes

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Summary

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement last week. The departure of the oldest justice on the bench allows President Joe Biden to make good on his promise to nominate a Black woman to the court. It's a promise he has since reiterated.

The Breyer's replacement will not change the ideological makeup of the court, which leans conservative. But it will mean a younger justice on the court and would give President Biden a much-needed win.

We talk about what to expect for the road ahead with a confirmation battle and midterms on the horizon.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	I was selected nominee worthy of Justice Breyer's legacy of excellence and decency.
0:14.1	While I've been studying candidates' backgrounds and writings, I've made no decision except
0:18.9	one.
0:19.9	A person I will nominate will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character,
0:27.0	experience and integrity.
0:29.3	That person will be the first black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme
0:33.7	Court.
0:34.7	In just a few weeks, President Biden is expected to announce his pick to replace Justice
0:39.5	Stephen Breyer.
0:41.0	Breyer announced his retirement last Thursday.
0:43.8	The departure of the oldest justice on the bench allows the president to make good on his
0:47.4	campaign promise to nominate the first black woman to the court.
0:51.2	A promise he has since reiterated.
0:53.3	The replacement of Breyer will not change the ideological makeup of the court, with six
0:57.8	justices making a right-leaning supermajority on the bench.
1:01.2	But it will mean a younger Justice on the court, and it would give President Biden a much
1:05.0	needed political win.
1:06.7	But what can we expect for the road ahead with the contentious Senate and some acrimonious
1:10.7	midterms on the horizon?
1:12.7	We'll answer all those questions and more after the break.
1:15.6	I'm Jen White.
1:16.6	You're listening to the 1A podcast, where we get to the heart of the story.
	...

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