Things are heating up on the Hill as the Senate prepares for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan’s confirmation hearings. Here’s hoping everyone can take a breather over the Memorial Day recess.
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee continue to press for the release of Kagan’s Clinton-era documents before the start of her hearings, scheduled for June 28. They say the fact that Kagan has no judicial experience makes her Clinton record that much more significant. So enjoy the holiday break, Senate Judiciary staffers, because you could soon be sifting through 168,000 pages of memos and e-mails.
But Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, had strong words for Republicans who are suggesting that Kagan’s hearings should be delayed until the records are available. Leahy dealt the gender card, pointing out that similar confirmation schedules for male high-court nominees went unquestioned.
He wasn’t the only one crying sexism this week. Senator Amy Klobuchar took to the Senate floor to slam a Washington Post story about Kagan’s style of dress. Klobuchar is in good company on that one.
Not all conservatives mind Kagan’s lack of judicial experience. Justice Antonin Scalia, the high court’s right-wing firebrand, says he’s pleased with the prospect of a non-judge joining him on the bench.
One of the more interesting votes to keep an eye on will be Senator Arlen Specter’s. As a Republican, he voted against Kagan’s confirmation as solicitor general. Now a Democrat, he says he’s open to voting to confirm her to the Supreme Court. He sent Kagan a letter on Tuesday notifying her of the topics he intends to ask her about during the hearings.
Say what you want about Kagan, but ambition is one thing she’s not short on. While dean of Harvard Law, she had her sights on becoming president of the university. She ended up losing out on the gig the same month that then-senator Barack Obama announced he was making a run for the White House.
SCOTUS Watch: Calm-Before-the-Storm Edition
Scraps over documents, dresses and switched votes dominate the Kagan conversation this week.
Things are heating up on the Hill as the Senate prepares for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan’s confirmation hearings. Here’s hoping everyone can take a breather over the Memorial Day recess.
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee continue to press for the release of Kagan’s Clinton-era documents before the start of her hearings, scheduled for June 28. They say the fact that Kagan has no judicial experience makes her Clinton record that much more significant. So enjoy the holiday break, Senate Judiciary staffers, because you could soon be sifting through 168,000 pages of memos and e-mails.
But Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, had strong words for Republicans who are suggesting that Kagan’s hearings should be delayed until the records are available. Leahy dealt the gender card, pointing out that similar confirmation schedules for male high-court nominees went unquestioned.
He wasn’t the only one crying sexism this week. Senator Amy Klobuchar took to the Senate floor to slam a Washington Post story about Kagan’s style of dress. Klobuchar is in good company on that one.
Not all conservatives mind Kagan’s lack of judicial experience. Justice Antonin Scalia, the high court’s right-wing firebrand, says he’s pleased with the prospect of a non-judge joining him on the bench.
One of the more interesting votes to keep an eye on will be Senator Arlen Specter’s. As a Republican, he voted against Kagan’s confirmation as solicitor general. Now a Democrat, he says he’s open to voting to confirm her to the Supreme Court. He sent Kagan a letter on Tuesday notifying her of the topics he intends to ask her about during the hearings.
Say what you want about Kagan, but ambition is one thing she’s not short on. While dean of Harvard Law, she had her sights on becoming president of the university. She ended up losing out on the gig the same month that then-senator Barack Obama announced he was making a run for the White House.
Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Washingtonian on Twitter
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos
Most Popular in News & Politics
Meet DC’s 2025 Tech Titans
The “MAGA Former Dancer” Named to a Top Job at the Kennedy Center Inherits a Troubled Program
White House Seriously Asks People to Believe Trump’s Letter to Epstein Is Fake, Oliver North and Fawn Hall Got Married, and It’s Time to Plan Your Apple-Picking Excursion
Scott Bessent Got in Another Argument With a Coworker; Trump Threatens Chicago, Gets Booed in New York; and Our Critic Has an Early Report From Kayu
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Washingtonian Magazine
September Issue: Style Setters
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
These Confusing Bands Aren’t Actually From DC
Fiona Apple Wrote a Song About This Maryland Court-Watching Effort
The Confusing Dispute Over the Future of the Anacostia Playhouse
Protecting Our Drinking Water Keeps Him Up at Night
More from News & Politics
How a DC Area Wetlands Restoration Project Could Help Clean Up the Anacostia River
Pressure Grows on FBI Leadership as Search for Kirk’s Killer Continues, Kennedy Center Fires More Staffers, and Spotted Lanternflies Are Everywhere
What Is Free DC?
Manhunt for Charlie Kirk Shooter Continues, Britain Fires US Ambassador Over Epstein Connections, and Sandwich Guy Will Get a Jury Trial
Can Two Guys Ride a Rickshaw over the Himalayas? It Turns Out They Can.
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Donald Trump Dines at Joe’s Seafood Next to the White House
White House Seriously Asks People to Believe Trump’s Letter to Epstein Is Fake, Oliver North and Fawn Hall Got Married, and It’s Time to Plan Your Apple-Picking Excursion