Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson takes oath, Ian makes landfall in South Carolina, government shutdown averted as funding bill passes

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson takes ceremonial oath at Supreme Court – Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson took the judicial oath Friday at a special sitting of the Supreme Court. She is next set to hear arguments for the first time on Monday as a member of the nation’s top judicial body.

“This morning, I attended Justice Jackson’s investiture,” said President Joe Biden. “She’s a brilliant legal mind, extraordinarily qualified, and is making history today.”

During the investiture ceremony, Jackson was escorted by the Clerk of the Court, Scott Harris, to the high court, where she sat in the same chair used by Chief Justice John Marshall during the early 19th century. The chair has been used for the investiture of every new justice since Lewis F. Powell Jr. took his Judicial Oath in 1972.

Ian has made landfall in South Carolina with sustained winds near 85 mph – Hurricane Ian made landfall near Georgetown, South Carolina, around 2:05 p.m. EDT as a Category 1 storm. Nearly 200,00 people across the state have been left without power, with officials expecting that number will continue to increase as the storm moves inland.

“Don’t drive through flooded roadways. Take another route and stay safe,” urged the Myrtle Beach Police Department. “There is no reason to take this risk.”

National Weather Service has warned the hurricane could bring on a “life-threatening storm surge” and advised the public to “avoid injury by sheltering in an interior room away from windows.”

Government shutdown averted after House, Senate pass funding bill – After receiving approval from the Senate on Thursday, a stopgap bill to fund the government through Dec. 16 and avert a shutdown was passed by the House of Representatives on Friday. This came just hours ahead of a midnight deadline when funding is set to expire.

“The American people are better served when both sides come together to pass a responsible, on-time budget.,” said Rep. Elaine Luria. “I remain hopeful that the House and Senate can find common ground to produce a final omnibus funding package before the new December deadline that prioritizes defense spending and provides our government with the basic resources it needs to function.”

The House passed the measure by a vote of 230-201, with 10 Republicans joining all Democrats in voting it through. The bill now heads to President Biden for his signature.