Senate Starts Debate Over Kagan Confirmation

The Senate began the debate over Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan’s confirmation Tuesday.

While Kagan will almost surely be approved by the upper-chamber, she has faced some heated last minute opposition. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) announced last week that he will go against his party by voting against the current Solicitor General and on Monday Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to each of his colleagues outlining the case against her confirmation.

“Ms. Kagan’s lack of legal experience should be of significant concern to any Senator. She has less real legal experience than any Supreme Court nominee in 50 years,” Sessions wrote.

The Alabama Republican also cited Kagan’s positions on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and reproductive issues as evidence that Kagan is a “legal progressive.”

Several Republicans have announced that they will cross the aisle to support Kagan, including Olympia Snowe (R-Me.), Susan Collins (R-Me.), Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.).

A vote is expected by the end of the week, before the Senate leaves for the August recess.