Brown to Introduce Kagan, but Unsure of Support
Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) hasn’t decided whether he will back Elena Kagan’s nomination to the Supreme Court even though he will introduce her to the Judiciary Committee at her confirmation hearings on Monday.
Home-state lawmakers traditionally introduce nominees at the start of their confirmation hearings. Kagan has called the Boston area home since her tenure as dean of Harvard Law School.
When asked Thursday if he was on the fence about Kagan’s nomination, Brown said “absolutely.” He said he was introducing her to the Judiciary panel as a courtesy to Kagan, President Barack Obama and his home-state colleague Sen. John Kerry (D). “The president asked me to do this. As did Sen. Kerry,” Brown said.
Brown is one of several GOP moderates Democrats are hoping will vote for Kagan. Her confirmation hearings begin Monday afternoon and are expected to span the week. Democrats are hoping the full Senate will vote on her nomination before the August recess.