President Joe BidenâsSupreme Court nominee is receiving criticism over an exchange during her confirmation hearing that featured a question about the definition of the word âwoman.â
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) asked Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on Tuesday, âCan you provide a definition for the word âwomanâ?â
âCan I provide a definition?â Jackson asked.
When Blackburn confirmed that was her question, Jackson said, âI canât.â
âYou canât?â the senator asked.
Jackson explained, âNot in this context Iâm not a biologist.â
Watch the video below:
The Tennessee senator then asked, âSo, you believe the meaning of the word âwomanâ is so unclear and controversial that you canât give me a definition?â
âSenator, in my work as a judge, what I do is I address disputes. If thereâs a dispute about a definition, people make arguments, and I look at the law and I decide,â Jackson responded.
Blackburn fired back, âThe fact that you canât give me a straight answer about something as fundamental as what a woman is underscores the dangers of the kind of progressive education that we are hearing about.â
The exchange drew harsh criticism:
During the hearing, Blackburn referenced transgender swimmer Lia Thomasâ first place finish in the NCAA Womenâs Swimming Championship 500 yard freestyle event last week. She also asked Jackson what message she believes Thomasâ victory sends.
âIâm not sure what message that sends,â Jackson said. âIf youâre asking me about the legal issues related to it, those are topics that are being hotly discussed.â
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) ripped into the NCAA for allowing Thomas to compete in the event, as IJR reported.
âBy allowing men to compete in womenâs sports, the NCAA is destroying opportunities for women, making a mockery of its championships, and perpetuating a fraud,â he wrote in a tweet.
He added, âIn Florida, we reject these lies and recognize Sarasotaâs Emma Weyant as the best womenâs swimmer in the 500y freestyle.â
