WATCH: Sen. Cruz’s opening statement in Jackson Supreme Court confirmation hearings

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, argued March 21 in his opening remarks at the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson that Democrats have altered the duties of the Supreme Court.

“Our Democratic colleagues want the Supreme Court to be anti-democratic. Our Democratic colleagues get frustrated with the democratic process. When they can't pass gun control laws because the American people don't support them, they want unelected judges to mandate those same laws instead,” Cruz said. “Law after law after law that they can’t get through the democratic process, the Democrats have decided it’s much simpler to convince five lawyers in black robes than to try to convince 330 million Americans.”

Cruz argued that’s the reason confirmation hearings have become “so contentious.” But, he promised Jackson: “This will not be a political circus.”

Jackson was nominated by President Joe Biden in February to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. If confirmed, she will be the first Black woman on the high court.

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