Excerpt
On April 9, 2010, Associate Justice John Paul Stevens sent a letter to President Barack Obama informing him of his intent to retire from the U.S. Supreme Court at the end of the current term. Stevens, who turned 90 this year, was the Court’s longest-serving member, having been appointed by President Gerald Ford in 1975. Although named by a Republican, Stevens became one of the leading liberal voices on the Court, often authoring strongly worded dissents from some of the Court’s more conservative opinions.
On May 10, Obama nominated Elena Kagan to replace Stevens. Kagan had served as U.S. solicitor general since M…
In This Issue
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The Elena Kagan Nomination
A Third Female Justice Is Seated on the Court
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Elena Kagan's Background
President Barack Obama Introduces His Nominee
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The Role of Solicitor General
Elena Kagan's Qualifications for the Supreme Court
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Inside the Court
Status of Important Cases Before the Highest Tribunal
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Before the Judiciary Committee
Senators Weigh in During Confirmation Hearings
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Pro & Con
Should Elena Kagan Be Confirmed by the Senate as an Associate Justice to the Supreme Court?
