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Elena Kagan was confirmed to the Supreme Court Thursday by a 63-37 vote in the U.S. Senate. Kagan becomes the 112th justice to serve the high court, the fourth female and first in nearly 40 years to serve with no previous experience as a judge.
Support for Kagan included all but one Democrat in the Senate, five Republicans and two independents, the Associated Press reports. Kagan is a former Harvard Law dean and U.S. Solicitor General.
The Associated Press pointed out this will be the first time in history that three women will serve on the court. While Republicans sounded alarms over the potential “liberal activism” of Kagan, most experts believe Kagan’s appointment will have little effect on the ideological balance of the court. She is replacing Justice John Paul Stevens, who was widely considered the leader of its liberal wing.
“I believe she understands that judges and justices must realize how the law affects Americans each and every day. That understanding is fundamental,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the Judiciary Committee chairman. With her confirmation, he said, “the Supreme Court will better reflect the diversity that made our country great,” the AP reports.
