Jackson Distances Herself From Concept of Living Constitution

Judge Jackson distanced herself from the idea that the meaning of the Constitution evolves over time, characterizing her judicial philosophy as deeply rooted in the meaning of legal texts as originally written.

Mr. Grassley pressed Judge Jackson on whether she believes in the idea of a living Constitution, whose meaning can evolve as society changes over time. That clashes with the approach favored by conservatives, who emphasize the meaning of constitutional provisions at the time they were adopted.

“I do not believe that there is a living Constitution in the...