The president promises to name a nominee by the end of February as Stephen Breyer confirms his plan to retire.

Adding a Black woman to the court would mean a series of firsts – 4 female justices and 2 Black justices serving at the same time on the 9-member court.

The departure of Breyer, 83, expected over the summer, won’t change the 6-3 conservative advantage on the court because his replacement almost certainly will be confirmed by a Senate where Democrats have the slimmest majority.