Elena Kagan's Nomination to the Supreme Court

On Tuesday July 20th, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 to advance Solicitor General Elena Kagan’s nomination to the Supreme Court. A Senate floor vote is imminent. As the Senators consider how they will vote, now is the time to call them and share your thoughts on this important nomination.

The Supreme Court has a powerful and lasting impact on the issues we as Jews care about, including ensuring freedom of religion and speech, preserving civil liberties and civil rights, protecting the environment, defending reproductive health and rights, and guaranteeing due process in our legal system.  The appointment of a new Supreme Court Justice to a lifetime position on the bench has the potential to directly influence federal law in these areas for decades.  Decisions made by the highest court have real-life impacts on all Americans.

The Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis have not taken formal positions on Elena Kagan’s nomination. Still, the Religious Action Center has been an active participant in the process of considering her record and credentials, encouraging Senators to fulfill their constitutional role of “advise and consent.” 

To do this, we: lifted up the issue of religious freedom by inviting church/state scholars and advocates to the RAC to review Solicitor General Kagan’s record on the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment and craft questions that we forwarded to Senate Judiciary Committee members; held a conference call, in partnership with the United Methodist Church, for the faith community to discuss the implications of this nomination; used “AskElenaKagan.com” to collect questions that our members encouraged Senators on the Judiciary Committee to ask Solicitor General Kagan; and, provided day-to-day coverage of the hearings, including a few video clips of our staff on Capitol Hill. 

Take action:

Call your Senators and tell them how you hope they will vote on Elena Kagan’s nomination. The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at 202.224.3121. For more information, contact Program Associate Jessie Weiser at 202.387.2800 and visit the Judicial Nominations portal on the RAC website at www.rac.org/judicialnominations.

Talking Points for calls to Senators:

• The Supreme Court has a powerful and lasting impact on the issues [I care about] OR [are of central concern to the Jewish community], including freedom of religion, preserving civil liberties and civil rights, protecting the environment, reproductive health and rights, freedom of speech, and guarantees of due process in our legal system.
• The appointment of Elena Kagan to a lifetime position on the bench has the potential to directly influence American law for decades.  I know that these changes in the law translate into real-life impacts on my life and the lives of my fellow citizens.
• I urge you to vote [In Favor of] OR [Against] Elena Kagan’s confirmation because _____.