Dan Friedman
The Ninth Justice/National Journal
7/30/2010
Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., announced today he will vote to confirm Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court next week, saying her qualifications warrant confirmation. He is the fifth Republican to announce support for the nominee, joining Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine,Richard Lugar of Indiana and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. All five voted to confirm Justice Sonia Sotomayor last year.
In a statement, Gregg said the confirmation process requires senators to “to put aside politics and conduct a frank and evenhanded review of the nominee’s record, qualifications and demonstrated ability to apply the law in a fair and impartial manner.”
“Ms. Kagan has pledged that she will exercise judicial restraint and decide each case that comes before her based on the law, with objectivity and without regard to her personal views,” Gregg said. “She also has served the American people under two different administrations and has a strong legal academic background. She is qualified to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.”
The vote on Kagan may be the Senate’s last before the recess and is likely to occur Thursday.
Earlier today, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., announced he will vote against Kagan’s confirmation. Corker said he found Kagan intelligent but that he will oppose her because her record shows she believes it “appropriate to use the court to achieve a political end.” Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, also announced her opposition. According to a National Journal count, 25 Republican senators have now announced plans to vote against confirming Kagan.
Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass, who has not announced his position, appears to be the most likely remaining GOP “yes” vote.
