Kagan Whip Count: Lugar Second GOP "Yes"
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 soon.
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. Reports indicate that the offices of retiring Sens. George Voinovich (R-OH) and Judd Gregg (R-NH) will not say how their bosses are voting.
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. GOP 'yes' votes are in italics.
YES VOTES: 22
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), Richard Lugar (statement), Claire McCaskill (report), Jeff Merkley (report), Chuck Schumer (announced at committee hearing, 7/20), Jeanne Shaheen (report), Arlen Specter (op-ed), Debbie Stabenow (statement), Mark Udall (statement), Sheldon Whitehouse (interview).
NO VOTES: 22
Sens. Lamar Alexander (statement), Bob Bennett (statement), Jim Bunning (statement), Saxby Chambliss (statement), Tom Coburn (op-ed), John Cornyn (statement), Jim DeMint (op-ed), John Ensign (statement), 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), Richard Shelby (statement), John Thune (statement), David Vitter (statement), Roger Wicker (report).
Hotline Whip Count Lacks Three "Yes" Votes
Comprehensive links to Elena Kagan Senator Statements on www.JudgingtheEnvironment dot org
include three firm "Yes" votes that Hotline should add:
An old and a new one from Senators' websites:
Senator [Jack] Reed Will Vote for Kagan
(Democrat - Rhode Island) 07/16/10
Dodd Statement in Support of Elena Kagan to be the Next Supreme Court Justice
(Democrat - Connecticut) 07/23/10
Plus this POLITICO interview:
Sen. Landrieu will back Kagan
(Democrat - Louisiana) 07/14/10
"Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), who Republicans had hoped would join them, told POLITICO on Tuesday she’ll back Kagan."
-Glenn Sugameli
Judging the Environment
Defenders of Wildlife
Washington, D.C.
LATEST: Collins is a "Yes"
Jul 23, 2:55 PM EDT
Maine Republican Sen. Collins to back Kagan
By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS
Associated Press Writer
-Glenn Sugameli
Judging the Environment
Defenders of Wildlife
Washington, D.C.