Top Republican challenges Kagan's independence

Lawyer Blogs

The top Republican in the Senate demanded assurances on Wednesday that President Barack Obama's solicitor general and friend, Elena Kagan, would be free of White House influence if confirmed as a Supreme Court justice.

"Americans want to know that Ms. Kagan will be independent," Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a Senate speech as Obama's Supreme Court pick began a series of courtesy visits with senators who will decide whether to confirm her.

McConnell noted that when Obama nominated Kagan to the Supreme Court on Monday, he said that "they're friends."

"It's my hope that the Obama administration doesn't think the ideal Supreme Court nominee is someone who would rubber stamp its policies," McConnell said. "But this nomination does raise the question. And it's a question that needs to be answered."

For the past year, Kagan, 50, has been Obama's solicitor general, a post in which she argues cases on behalf of the U.S. government before the Supreme Court. She is widely expected to be approved for a seat on the high court by the Democratic-led Senate before lawmakers' August recess.

Yet with Republicans' conservative base fired up for the November congressional election, McConnell and other Republicans are expected to subject her to tough scrutiny.

Kagan is seen as a moderate, and much of Obama's largely liberal base had been pushing for a more liberal nominee.

Related listings

  • Blagojevich denied trial delay by appeals court

    Blagojevich denied trial delay by appeals court

    Lawyer Blogs 05/12/2010

    A federal appeals court has turned down former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's latest request to delay his corruption trial.The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Tuesday it has no jurisdiction to delay the trial set to get under way June 3.Defen...

  • ICC prosecutor visits violent Kenyan slum

    ICC prosecutor visits violent Kenyan slum

    Lawyer Blogs 05/11/2010

    The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court met Monday with members of a self-help group in a Nairobi slum that saw some of the most brutal acts committed during Kenya's 2007-2008 postelection violence.Luis Moreno Ocampo said he visited Kenya'...

  • Food Safety Law Firm Investigates Outbreak of E. coli

    Food Safety Law Firm Investigates Outbreak of E. coli

    Lawyer Blogs 05/10/2010

    Richard J. Arsenault of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault in Alexandria, Louisiana, says the latest cases of food poisoning undermine public confidence in our nation's food supply. Alexandria, La. (PRWEB) May 10, 2010 -- As another outbreak of E. coli s...

New Rochelle, New York Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP, in New Rochelle, New York, immediately. We can answer all your questions and work with you to determine if you have the grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at our firm are determined to resolve even the most difficult of cases. We will work closely with you to determine the best course of action to get your claim or case resolved in the most efficient way possible. We will fight for your right to compensation! No one should have to suffer a financial burden from the result of another person’s carelessness. The attorneys at Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP will aggressively fight to ensure that justice is served on your behalf.

Business News

New York & New Jersey Family Law Matters We represent our clients in all types of proceedings that include termination of parental rights. >> read