Accessibility links
Elena Kagan's Supreme Court Nomination Get full coverage of President Obama's choice for the 112th justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. If she is confirmed, Elena Kagan, 50, would be the youngest member of the current court and her presence would result in three female justices on the nine-member court for the first time in its history.
Special Series

Elena Kagan's Supreme Court Nomination

Get full coverage of President Obama's choice for the 112th justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Senate Committee Approves Kagan Nomination

Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (right) talks with ranking Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions during the committee's vote on the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan on Tuesday. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Alex Brandon/AP

Senate Committee Approves Kagan Nomination

The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to approve the nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. The 13-6 vote sends Kagan's nomination to the full Senate. Lindsey Graham was the only Republican on the panel to vote in favor of Kagan.

Sen. Graham Votes Yes On Kagan, Risks Wrath On Right

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), shown in a June 29 file photo, says he will vote for President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

toggle caption
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

It's All Politics

Sen. Graham Votes Yes On Kagan, Risks Wrath On Right

The Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court fell on strict party lines ... except for Sen. Lindsey Graham.  The South Carolina Republican voted in her favor.

Thurgood Marshall Jr. Sheds Light On Father

Elena Kagan's stated admiration for Thurgood Marshall, the Supreme Court justice she clerked for in the 1980s, became the focus of much scrutiny during her confirmation hearings. Charles Tasnadi/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Charles Tasnadi/AP

Thurgood Marshall Jr. Sheds Light On Father

Elena Kagan's stated admiration for Thurgood Marshall, the Supreme Court justice she once clerked for, became the focus of much scrutiny during her confirmation hearings. Marshall's son talks about the late justice's true legacy, and his relationship with Kagan.

High Stakes, But No High Drama At Kagan Hearings

From left, Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), during Wednesday's session. Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

Opinion

High Stakes, But No High Drama At Kagan Hearings

ANALYSIS: Other news has overshadowed the confirmation hearings, and a Democratic majority in the Senate has made the outcome seem almost predetermined.

Listen To NPR's Special Report On Day 2 Of Elena Kagan's Hearing

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128222465/128202518" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Kagan Quizzed About Thurgood Marshall's Record

Thurgood Marshall with George E.C. Hayes (left) and James M. Nabrit (right) outside the Supreme Court building on May 17, 1954. The three lawyers had just led the fight for abolition of segregation in public schools before the Supreme Court, which ruled that segregation was unconstitutional. AP hide caption

toggle caption
AP

Kagan Quizzed About Thurgood Marshall's Record

The first African-American Supreme Court justice has played a prominent role in confirmation hearings for Kagan, who served as his law clerk. On Kagan's first day on Capitol Hill, Marshall's name came up more than 30 times. Most of the name-dropping came from Republicans, however, who did not describe Marshall favorably.

On A No-Drama Day, A Debate Actually Breaks Out

Elena Kagan enjoys a lighter moment during her Supreme Court confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

On A No-Drama Day, A Debate Actually Breaks Out

Elena Kagan once described the Senate's Supreme Court confirmation hearings as exercises in "vacuity and farce." And when her hearings opened Monday, the senators were happy to remind her of those words. Then, they shocked the world and engaged in a meaty discussion about the direction of the current court. Now, will she jump in?

Kagan Vows Restraint If Confirmed To Supreme Court

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan shakes hands with GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions (right) as Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy looks on before the start of Monday's confirmation hearing. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Susan Walsh/AP

Kagan Vows Restraint If Confirmed To Supreme Court

On the opening day of her confirmation hearings, Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan vowed to serve with a "commitment to evenhandedness, principle and restraint." She said the court must also "recognize the limits on itself and respect the choices made by the American people."

Sessions: 'Ms. Kagan Has Less Real Legal Experience Of Any Nominee In At least 50 Years'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128161821/128170683" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
At Confirmation Hearings, GOP Eyes Kagan's Record

U.S. Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan faces questions this week from the Senate Judiciary Committee, which opens hearings on her nomination. Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images

At Confirmation Hearings, GOP Eyes Kagan's Record

The Senate Judiciary Committee opens hearings Monday on the nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court. So far, Republican attempts to arouse controversy about Kagan have gained little traction, but this week marks the main event.

Browse archive or search npr.org