Litigation

Kagan to Take Oath Saturday

By Peter Hardin

The newest Supreme Court justice, Elena Kagan, will be sworn in Saturday by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.

The Senate voted Thursday to confirm the solicitor general to the high court. Afterward, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer article,  President Obama praised her elevation as “a sign of progress that I relish not just as a father who wants limitless possibilities for my two daughters, but as an American proud that our Supreme Court will be more inclusive, more representative, and more reflective of us as a people than ever before.”

When Kagan is seated on the bench, it will be the first time that three women justices have served simultaneously.

The 63-37 vote for her confirmation (see Gavel Grab) fell largely along partisan lines, as had the debate preceding it.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky told reporters yesterday, ?The process has become much more political than it used to be, but Senate Republicans didn?t set the standard.?

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said in response that he wouldn’t take off the table the possible use of filibusters to block judicial nominations in the future.  It?s ?not out of the question if they are out of the mainstream,? Bloomberg quoted Schumer as saying.

On Friday, Obama planned to host a reception to honor Kagan at the White House.

You can learn more about Kagan from Gavel Grab and from the JAS Replacing Justice Stevens page.

Full post as published by The Gavel on August 06, 2010 (boomark / email).