What They're Saying About Kagan

Statements from senators who will vote on Elena Kagan's SCOTUS nomination:

Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid: "President Obama has chosen a worthy nominee to replace Justice Stevens, a jurist who Americans have respected and admired for so many years. I am particularly pleased President Obama has chosen a nominee from outside the judicial monastery. I believe that through her confirmation process, Elena Kagan will demonstrate that her primary allegiance is to fairness, justice and the rule of law, not ideology. When Solicitor General Kagan is confirmed, the Supreme Court will have three sitting female Justices for the first time - a historic occurrence that is long overdue."

"Nevadans and all Americans want us to confirm a nominee who is not only immensely qualified, but also has an understanding of the real world impact the Court's rulings will have on the American people. They want a nominee who will stand up for average Americans and ensure they get a fair hearing even against the largest and wealthiest corporations. I am confident that once confirmed, Elena Kagan will work to ensure equal justice for all Americans.

"I was pleased with the manner in which Senators conducted themselves when Justice Sotomayor was confirmed last year, and I will work to ensure the same type of fair, respectful process for Elena Kagan."

Senate Min. Leader Mitch McConnell: I congratulate Elena Kagan on her nomination. As we did with Justice Sotomayor last year, Senate Republicans will treat Ms. Kagan fairly. She has been nominated for a lifetime appointment on the nation's highest court, and we will carefully review her brief litigation experience, as well as her judgment and her career in academia, both as a professor and as an administrator. Fulfilling our duty to advise and consent on a nomination to this office requires a thorough process, not a rush to judgment."

"The American people expect judges to apply the Constitution and laws of the United States fairly and impartially -- as they are written, not how they could have been written but were not. Even though the President who nominates them has personal policy preferences, judges must not be a rubberstamp for any administration. Judges must not walk into court with a preconceived idea of who should win. Their job is to apply the law 'without respect to persons,' as the judicial oath states; it is not to pick winners or losers."

"Senate Republicans will have a vigorous debate on the importance of this principle. And we will diligently review the record of Ms. Kagan to ensure that she shares this principle and that she possesses the requisite experience to serve on the Supreme Court."

After the jump, the rest of the Senate statements we've received today.

Sen. Ben Cardin: I welcome President Obama's announcement today that he intends to nominate Solicitor General Elena Kagan to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Supreme Court. As Solicitor General, a position often called the tenth justice, she would bring a unique, firsthand perspective to the court, along with a lifetime of broad legal experience. I appreciate the serious consideration behind President Obama's appointment and its promptness, which will give us ample time to review the nomination in a thoughtful and fair manner. It is our responsibility to ensure timely consideration of the nomination and a civil debate. It is a privilege to be among those Senators on the Judiciary Committee who will have an opportunity to participate in the confirmation hearing for a new Supreme Court Justice and to publicly question Solicitor General Kagan. If confirmed, she will potentially serve on the Supreme Court for a generation and, inherently, will have a profound impact on the lives of all Americans.

"My hope is that the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court will be able to help build consensus on this closely divided court in a way Justice Stevens epitomized. As I said to President Obama during our recent call, I also believe the next justice should be a leader with broad experiences who will uphold the precedents of the court and has a passion for protections found in our Constitution. Should she be confirmed, Solicitor General Kagan need only look as far as her clerk experience with Justice Thurgood Marshall and Judge Abner Mikvah for models to exemplify. Last February, Chairman Leahy allowed me to chair the confirmation hearing for Elena Kagan's nomination to be Solicitor General of the United States. I was extremely pleased because I knew of her reputation, I knew of her background, and I thought she would be an excellent choice to be the Solicitor General. Throughout the hearing there were spirited questions asked by many members of the Judiciary Committee on both sides of the aisle. She eventually was approved by a Committee vote of 13-3 and confirmed by the full Senate in March by a vote of 61-31. During the upcoming hearings, I look forward to learning even more about Solicitor General Kagan's judicial philosophy and legal perspective."

Sen. Susan Collins: "White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel called me this morning to inform me of the President's decision to nominate Elena Kagan to the nation's highest court. I told him that I look forward to meeting with her to learn more about her experience and the judicial philosophy she would bring to the Court. Ms. Kagan has an impressive resume of dedicated public service and strong legal credentials but she does not have extensive writings by which one can assess her judicial philosophy. In the coming weeks, I will closely examine her record as U.S. Solicitor General. I will also follow the Judiciary Committee hearings so that I can better assess how she might approach issues as a judge."

Sen. John Cornyn: Now that President Obama has nominated Solicitor General Elena Kagan to replace Justice John Paul Stevens on the U.S. Supreme Court, the Senate must provide its advice and consent. It is essential that the Senate perform this Constitutional duty in a thorough manner and give Ms. Kagan's record a full and fair review. There is no doubt that Ms. Kagan possesses a first-rate intellect, but she is a surprising choice from a president who has emphasized the importance of understanding 'how the world works and how ordinary people live.' Ms. Kagan has spent her entire professional career in Harvard Square, Hyde Park, and the DC Beltway. These are not places where one learns 'how ordinary people live.' Ms. Kagan is likewise a surprising choice because she lacks judicial experience. Most Americans believe that prior judicial experience is a necessary credential for a Supreme Court Justice."

"If confirmed as a life-tenured justice, Ms. Kagan's rulings could affect the life, liberty, and property of Americans for generations. So we must learn completely about her judicial philosophy and commitment to our founding principles. And we must ensure that she rejects judicial activism and holds fast to the belief that justice is blind. Ms. Kagan failed to answer many questions posed by senators prior to her confirmation as solicitor general. This failure led many members to oppose her nomination. I hope that she will now more willingly respond to reasonable and relevant questions. America deserves a nominee who reveres the law and applies it impartially. Through the confirmation process, I look forward to determining whether Ms. Kagan meets this high standard and is fit to serve as an associate justice."

Sen. Russ Feingold: "I congratulate Elena Kagan on her nomination to the United States Supreme Court. I welcome President Obama's decision to nominate someone to be the first Supreme Court justice from outside the judiciary since former Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Lewis Powell. Ms. Kagan's confirmation in 2009 as the first woman to become Solicitor General was an historic moment for our nation. As Solicitor General, Ms. Kagan has served the nation ably. Considering the impact the Supreme Court has on our country, I take very seriously my responsibility as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee to evaluate a nominee. I look forward to reviewing thoroughly Ms. Kagan's record, meeting with her and questioning her during what I hope will be a productive and informative confirmation process."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: "I am thrilled to see another brilliant New York woman nominated to the Supreme Court. New Yorkers dream big, and nobody tells us what we can't achieve, which is why so many women have excelled from entrepreneurs and academics to scientists and celebrities -- and now Supreme Court justices. Solicitor General Elena Kagan is a lifelong trail blazer and public servant, and would come to the high court with a broad range of qualifications. She was the first woman to serve in her role as Solicitor General and the first woman to serve as Dean of Harvard Law School. President Obama has made the right choice for the future of the Supreme Court, and I look forward to a swift and thoughtful nomination process, followed by confirmation before the August recess."

Sen. Lindsey Graham: "Solicitor General Kagan has a strong academic background in the law. I have been generally pleased with her job performance as Solicitor General, particularly regarding legal issues related to the War on Terror. I look forward to meeting her again, this time to discuss her qualifications to sit on the highest court in the land. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I intend to be fair and firm in my questioning of the nominee. The hearings can be a valuable public service as they give us a window into the nominee's judicial philosophy and disposition. I hope we will have a meaningful opportunity to explore the qualifications, judicial temperament, and judicial philosophy of Ms. Kagan."

Sen. Mike Johanns: "The confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice is a responsibility I take very seriously. A nominee must bring a fair-minded and impartial approach to the bench that seeks to adhere to the Constitution, not an activist approach that seeks to legislate from it. I look forward to her hearings in the Senate so I can take a closer look at her record before I make any final decision."

Sen. John Kerry: "Elena Kagan has been an extraordinary trailblazer and she will be an extraordinary Supreme Court Justice for a very long time. She brings together a remarkable combination of qualities that the Court needs today: a capable mind, a fresh energy, a proven ability to build consensus across ideological lines, and a real-world understanding of how the law and public policy impacts Americans in their daily lives. The first woman to head Harvard Law School and the first woman to serve as Solicitor General, when she is confirmed by the Senate, for the first time the Supreme Court will look a little more like America with three women serving together on the bench. Massachusetts has been Elena's adopted home, and a place where she earned the respect of jurists and scholars from across the ideological spectrum. I hope it bodes well for a swift and fair confirmation process that already in this Congress, seven Republican Senators reached across the aisle to support her nomination as Solicitor General."

Sen. Jon Kyl: "I congratulate Ms. Kagan on her nomination to the United States Supreme Court. Every Senator has a constitutional duty to scrutinize judicial nominees, and I will take great care in examining her record to ensure that she possess the qualities the American people expect in our Supreme Court Justices. I expect Senate Democrats will allow ample time for the Senate to conduct this vetting process. As I made clear when I supported her confirmation as Solicitor General, a temporary political appointment is far different than a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court."

Sen. Mary Landrieu: "Elena Kagan is an impressive choice to be the next justice on our nation's highest court. From clerking for Thurgood Marshall to becoming the first woman to serve as dean of Harvard Law School to her selection as the first female Solicitor General, Kagan has built an outstanding career as a legal scholar and trailblazer for other women in the field. I look forward to learning more about her and her legal experience through the confirmation process."

Sen. George LeMieux: "I look forward to meeting with the President's nominee, engaging in a thorough evaluation of Solicitor General Kagan's record as an academic and lawyer for the government, and examining her responses before the Judiciary Committee. In making my decision whether to support confirming this nominee to a lifetime position on the United States Supreme Court, I will look for a demonstrated commitment to the unbiased application of the law and an unwavering fidelity to the Constitution."

Sen. Patty Murray: Solicitor General Elena Kagan has a strong legal background both inside and outside of government and is unquestionably a highly qualified choice for the Supreme Court. She has been selected to fill the seat of Justice John Paul Stevens, whose lifetime of public service, commitment to the law, and independent judgment have set a truly high standard for the court."

"As Dean of Harvard Law School and Solicitor General of the United States, she has demonstrated a consistent ability to forge consensus and work with people across ideological and party lines. And as the first woman to hold each of these positions, she has served as an example to girls across the country. I will evaluate Elena Kagan's nomination based on the same standards I use for all judicial appointments. Is she ethical, honest and qualified? Will she be evenhanded, fair, and independent; and will she uphold our rights and liberties? I want to know that when an individual comes before the Court, that he or she will receive a fair hearing and that justice will be rendered according to the law. This is especially important to me in the wake of the Court's recent Citizens United ruling that undid a century of work to ensure that the voices of individual voters are not drowned out by special interests."

"Filling Justice Stevens' seat is an opportunity to have a spirited and respectful debate about what kind of Supreme Court our country needs. Will it be a court that understands that struggles and concerns of families in Washington state and across the country? Or will it be one that believes that the voices of corporations and special interests should drown out the voices of ordinary voters? I look forward to a swift, reasoned and respectful discussion of Elena Kagan's qualifications, experience, and expertise."

Sen. Ben Nelson: "I look forward to learning more about Solicitor General Elena Kagan's background, record and qualifications to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. I also look forward to meeting with her and discussing her judicial philosophy to fill this important position on the United States Supreme Court as her nomination moves ahead in the Senate. During two terms as Nebraska's governor, I appointed 81 judges, including the entire Nebraska Supreme Court and Nebraska Court of Appeals. As Nebraska's senator since 2001, I have voted on numerous judicial nominees. In all cases, I nominated or supported judicial nominees who I was convinced would follow the law, rather than interpret the law to pursue an activist agenda. Although my personal views differed from some nominees, I applied no litmus test to them on issues. My main test has always been: Will the nominee follow the law and not make law to fit his or her views?Concerning Elena Kagan's nomination, I look forward in the coming weeks to her hearings before the Senate, and to examining her entire record and commitment to upholding the law and the U.S. Constitution."

Sen. Olympia Snowe: "I appreciate that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel called me this morning to inform me of the President's selection. Solicitor General Elena Kagan appears to present strong intellectual credentials and, as the process moves forward, I look forward to learning more about her experience and expertise, and to meeting with her to discuss a variety of issues, including how she would characterize her judicial philosophy. I will apply to this nominee the same standard of review that I have in the past -- that any Supreme Court nominee should bring a balanced approach to cases, possess a strong intellect and suitable judicial temperament, and follow a disciplined judicial methodology in reaching decisions. Justices on the Court sit for life, so the Senate must exercise its constitutional duty thoughtfully, and give careful and thorough consideration to Elena Kagan, as it should to every nominee."

Sen. Arlen Specter: "There is no doubt that Elena Kagan has exemplary academic and professional credentials. And she has been a pioneer for women, serving as the country's first female Solicitor General and as the first woman to be Dean of Harvard Law School. I applaud the President for nominating someone who has a varied and diverse background outside the circuit court of appeals. I voted against her for Solicitor General because she wouldn't answer basic questions about her standards for handling that job. It is a distinctly different position than that of a Supreme Court Justice. I have an open mind about her nomination and hope she will address important questions related to her position on matters such as executive power, warrantless wiretapping, a woman's right to choose, voting rights and congressional power."

Sen. John Thune: "A lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court is a serious matter, and Ms. Kagan and the American people deserve a fair hearing and a thorough examination of her background and legal record. Our Constitution and laws must be what guide the decisions of our Supreme Court justices, not political inclinations or personal feelings. While I opposed Ms. Kagan's previous nomination to be Solicitor General, I look forward to carefully reviewing her qualifications and record from throughout her career. I am particularly interested to see if she would be a judge who is committed to applying the law as it is written, as opposed to legislating from the bench. Given that Ms. Kagan does not have a judicial record, it will be especially important for Senators to inquire as to her views on the Constitution and the role of the Court."