Kagan: SC Must Interpret, Address Mistakes Made By Congress

Solicitor General Elena Kagan says that, often time, the Supreme Court must interpret statutes that Congress pass into law and that must take into consideration changes in circumstances and address the mistakes made by Congress when passing those very laws. (0:45)

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Kagan: Once The Court Decides Case It's Binding Precedent

Solicitor General Elena Kagan tells Sen. Diane Feinstein that even a close a vote as the recent 5-4 Supreme Court decision in the McDonald vs. The City of Chicago case becomes “settled law.” (1:35)

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Military Had Access To Harvard Under Predecessor's System, Says Kagan

Solicitor General Elena Kagan says the system her predecessor, Bob Clark, was set up at Harvard Law to ensure military recruiting access while maintaining Harvard Law School’s long-standing policy of anti-discrimination. (0:34)

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Recruiters Could Not Sign Pledge Due To DADT, Says Kagan

When questioned about the military’s access to Harvard law students, Solicitor General Elena Kagan says that to enforce Harvard’s anti-discrimination policy, military recruiters could not use the Office of Career Services because they could not sign a pledge of anti-discrimination due to Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. (0:37)

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Kagan: My Politics Must Be Separate From My Judgment

Solicitor General Elena Kagan says she will keep politics out of her judgements. (0:06)

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Kagan Says Recusal Is Warranted In Some Cases

Solicitor General Elena Kagan speaks on circumstances where she would strongly consider recusal if confirmed on the Supreme Court. (0:13)

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Biggest Challenge Facing Kagan Are Partisan Politics, Says Senator

Sen. Lindsey Graham (D-S.C.) says Supreme Court Justice nominee Elena Kagan’s biggest challenge will be to omit partisan beliefs from decisions she makes as a prospective Justice. (1:05)

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Estrada Endorsement Is A Humbling One, Says Republican Senator

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) says Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan’s recommendation from conservative Miguel Estrada is a humbling one. (0:23)

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America Changed For The Better With Sotomayor Selection, Says Sen. Graham

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) says Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor could inspire young women, particularly young latinas, to enter a career in law. The Senator goes on to say that America changed for the better following her selection. (0:22)
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Lindsey Graham The Only Republican On Judiciary Committee To Back Sotomayor

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) says he's voting to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the next Supreme Court Justice despite the fact that she is not someone he would have chosen. He says his decision became easier for him as the hearings went on. Graham says he is basing his vote on Sotomayor's qualifications and that he came away from the hearings believing she is well suited for the position. (0:40)
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Sotomayor Describes Herself As "Uniquely American"

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor insisted during her confirmation hearing before the Senate that her life has been "uniquely American".
"My parents left Puerto Rico during WWII, I grew up in modest circumstances in a Bronx housing project, my father...passed away when I was nine years old," Sotomayor explained.
Sotomayor added that her mother was intent on integrating her children into the American world and placed emphasis on education as the key to success in the U.S. (0:36)
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Sotomayor's Judicial Philosophy Is Fidelity To The Law

During her confirmation hearing Monday, Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor described her judicial philosophy as "fidelity to the law." Sotomayor went on to say that she has a "record of rigourous commitment" to the interpretation of the Constitution according to established precedents and the intents of Congress. (0:36)
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Specter: "I'd Like To See The Court Televised"

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Penn.) reflects on the media's overwhelming presence during Judge Sonia Sotomayor's first day of confirmation hearings. Specter insists that the increased attention on Supreme Court nominations suggests a growing popular interest in Court affairs. Consequently, Specter asks SCOTUS justices, and Sotomayor if she is confirmed, to consider allowing television networks into the Supreme Court. (0:45)
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Klobuchar To Sotomayor: I Believe You Can Be A Justice For All Of Us

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) confirms that she supports Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination with the condition that Sotomayor enforce the law "without fear or favor." Klobuchar explains that in her opinion, Sotomayor's background and experience should allow Sotomayor to remain "humble." (0:36)
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Schumer Praises Sotomayor's "Great American Story"

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) applauds Judge Sonia Sotomayor's determination and success despite the adversity she has faced. Schumer cites Sotomayor's life as an example of "great national opportunity", adding that the United States allowed a woman from lower class origins to reach such a prestigious situation. The Senator calls Sotomayor's biography a "great American story." (0:24)
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Klobuchar Defends Sotomayor's Background And Experience

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) praises the diversity of the Judicial Committee, of which she is a member, and uses her personal experience to draw a parallel with the importance of including men and women from different backgrounds and experiences in the Supreme Court to ensure that a decision is taken based on different points of view. (0:36)
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Franken Calls For Judicial Restraint At Sotomayor Hearing

Newly sworn in Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) warns against the dangers of judicial activism during his introductory remarks during Judge Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings on Monday. Franken suggests that in his opinion, the Supreme Court may have recently crossed its role with that of legislative branch in Congress. (0:29)
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Republicans Cannot Stop Sotomayor's Confirmation

Brent Wilkes of the League of United Latin American Citizens expands on the idea that the Republicans cannot block the confirmation of nominee Sonia Sotomayor. He believes that if they do stand in the way, the hopes and dreams of the Hispanic population would be dashed, and it would almost certainly lead to the Republican Party's failure. (0:52)
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