Kagan Passes Judiciary Committee Test
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday put a positive stamp on Solicitor General Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court, clearing the way for a floor debate expected to begin later this week.
The committee approved Kagan's nomination by a 13-6 margin, with most GOPers voting against. Only Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) crossed the aisle to side with Dems.
And the vote clarifies where key senators stand on her nomination. That's helping our whip count of Kagan backers and opponents in advance of the looming floor debate.
A note on methodology: We assume a vast majority -- if not all -- of the Dem caucus will vote to confirm Kagan. But we're going to be sticklers for a firm 'yes' -- or the very strong hint of a 'yes' in an interview.
YES VOTES: 19
Sens. Michael Bennet (report), Roland Burris (statement), Ben Cardin (statement), Byron Dorgan (statement), Dick Durbin (floor speech, 7/12), Russ Feingold (statement), Dianne Feinstein (statement, Al Franken (interview), Lindsey Graham (announced at committee hearing, 7/20), Tim Johnson (report), Ted Kaufman (statement), Amy Klobuchar (interview), Patrick Leahy (statement), Jeff Merkley (report), Chuck Schumer (announced at committee hearing, 7/20), Arlen Specter (op-ed), Debbie Stabenow (statement), Mark Udall (statement), Sheldon Whitehouse (interview).
NO VOTES: 18
Sens. Bob Bennett (statement), Saxby Chambliss (statement), Tom Coburn (op-ed), John Cornyn (statement), Jim DeMint (op-ed), Chuck Grassley (statement), Orrin Hatch (statement), Jim Inhofe (statement), Johnny Isakson (statement), Mike Johanns (statement), Jon Kyl (announced at committee hearing, 7/20), John McCain (op-ed), Mitch McConnell (statement), Lisa Murkowski (statement), Jeff Sessions (op-ed), John Thune (statement), David Vitter (statement), Roger Wicker (report).