Senate Proceeding on Mar 19th, 2009 :: 4:40:15 to 4:47:30
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4:40:09 to 4:40:29( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: president obama nominated e kagan to be the solicitor general of the united states, i must tell you i was extremely pleased because i knew of her reputation, i knew of her background and i thought would be an excellent choice to be the solicitor general of the united states. chairman leahy allowed me to chair the hearing on her confirmation.

4:40:15 to 4:47:30( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Benjamin L. Cardin

4:40:30 to 4:40:51( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: at that hearing there were spirited questions asked by many members of the judiciary committee. we had a chance to review the background and record that we go through on a confirmation to the questions of the committee members. and, i must tell you, i was even

4:40:52 to 4:41:12( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: more impressed with this individual to be is his ior general of the -- solicitor general of the united states. i thought she did an excellent job in responding to the questions of the committee and answering them with candor and giving great confidence that she will represent the united states well before the country. you know the solicitor general

4:41:13 to 4:41:33( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: has to appear before the supreme court. and the supreme court justices can be very difficult in their questioning as can members of the united states senate during confirmation. and i think elena kagan demonstrated her ability to represent our nation well as the solicitor general of the united states.

4:41:34 to 4:41:54( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: she comes to this position very well qualified as far as her experience is concerned. and i know chairman leahy has spoken frequently about the need to continue to restore the morale and integrity of the department of justice which battered in recent years. i think help us in restoring the

4:41:55 to 4:42:15( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: reputation of the department of justice and will help us because of her to public service. she brings a wide range of experience having served as the dean of a law school, a law professor, a senior official at the white house, a lawyern private practice, a legal clerk for a justice of th court.

4:42:16 to 4:42:37( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: she has -- she graduated from princeton university and harvard law school. she clerked for thurogood marshall. while teaching law at university of chicago she took on another assignment as special counsel to senator joe biden, who was then

4:42:38 to 4:42:59( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: chairman of the judiciary committee. she assisted in the confirmation hearings of ruth bader ginsburg. in 1995 she served as president clinton's associate white house domestic policy.

4:43:00 to 4:43:20( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: she has imained an academic -- combined an academic background as well as public service. in 1999 she began to serve as professor of harvard law school, teaching constitutional law and a seminar on legal issues and the presidency. in 2003, she was appointed to

4:43:21 to 4:43:42( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: serve as the dean of the harvard law school. becoming the first woman ever to be dean of that that school's history. mr. president, we have a lot of information that we gathered during the confirmation process. one of i think the most impressive letters was a letter that we received from the deans of 11 major law schools in support of the nomination.

4:43:43 to 4:44:04( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: now, these are your colleagues. they know you best. they know your and the letter states in part that the office of solicitor general is a job that requires administrative and negotiating skills as well her skills in first rate.

4:44:05 to 4:44:26( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: her writings in constitutional and administrative law are highly cited. she is law with a deep understanding of doctrine and policy. she is also an excellent manager. she has been a superb dean at harvard. she is known to us as person of

4:44:27 to 4:44:48( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: impeachable integrity. mr. president, solicitor general of the united states holds a unique position in government. the solicitor general is charged with conducting all litigation on behalf of the united states in the supreme court and is often referred to the supreme court expects the solicitor general to provide a

4:44:49 to 4:45:11( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: court with candid advice during oral argument and filing briefs on behalf of the united the office participates in two-thirds of the cases before all of -- all the courts on the merits each year. it is indeed high praise for dean general walter dillinger joined

4:45:12 to 4:45:33( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: with six other solicitor generals from b democrats and republicans, to endorse her nomination. i would like to quote from the former solicitor generals who endorse elena kagan's nomination to be solicitor united states. that states that we're confident

4:45:34 to 4:45:54( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: that dean kagan will bring distinction to the office an be a forceful advocate for the united states for the supreme court. elena kagan would bring to the position of solitor general a breath of experience and a history of great accomplishment in law. we believe that she will excel at this important job of melding the views of various agencies and departments in coherent

4:45:55 to 4:46:17( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: positions that advance the best interest of our national government. she will be a strong voice for the united states before the supreme court. her brilliant intellect will be respected the justices and her directness, candor and frank analysis will make her especially effective advocate." at the same time, mr. president, we want the solicitor general to

4:46:18 to 4:46:38( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: be independent. that person must exercise independent judgment in representing the best interests of the united states before the courts.miss kagan has shown that independ career but she also understands she must follow the law. and let me just cite one final letter in support of miss kagan's nomination.

4:46:39 to 4:47:00( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: the letter is from former deputy attorney general jamie ehrlich and former attorney general janet reno. the letter notes that elena kagan would be the first woman to hold this office and that the confirmation will represent an important milestone for the department of justice and for women in legal profession w have no hesitation in concluding that kagan possesses the skills

4:47:01 to 4:47:21( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: and character to excel in the position for which she has been nominated. mr. president, tomorrow will mark president obama's 60th day in and i think it's fitng that today we are on the verge of confirming elena kagan's nomination so t with the attorney general in

4:47:22 to 4:47:32( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: helping to restore restore the confidence in the department of justice for the american people. i am certain that that she will make an excellent solicitor general and i hope promptly confirm her nomination. with that, mr. president, i