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Kagan Makes the High Court

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Achieve3000, September 16, 2010). Elena Kagan was sworn in on August 7, 2010, as the 112th justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. She is only the fourth woman to serve.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. It is made up of nine judges. Each judge is first named by the president. Then, the judge is voted on by Congress. After the president names someone, members of Congress are allowed to ask questions. These questions help lawmakers decide if the new judge will be fair.

At one time, Kagan helped oversee Harvard Law School. Most recently, she was Solicitor General. President Barack Obama chose her to replace retired Justice John Paul Stevens. Obama said Kagan "is widely regarded as one of the nation's [best] legal minds."

During the questioning, many people were hopeful that Congress would vote yes on Kagan. Still, some criticized her views. They thought she might want to change too many laws.

Kagan was sworn in twice on August 7 by John Roberts. He is the chief justice of the Supreme Court. She said one oath in front of her family, as spelled out by the Constitution. Then, with her family, friends, and reporters present, Kagan recited a second oath. This is the oath taken by all judges. That oath is a pledge to uphold the law faithfully and fairly.

Afterward, Kagan smiled broadly. A crowd of onlookers stood and clapped. "We look forward to serving with you," Roberts said.

Kagan began serving on the Supreme Court on October 1. This was the start of the court's new term. However, after she took the oaths in August, she was able to begin her duties as a justice. Like what? She could begin reviewing Supreme Court cases, which include those involving state governments and other important parties. The Supreme Court also handles appeals. (These cases are brought to the Supreme Court when someone does not agree with a decision made by a lower court.)

Kagan joins female Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor on the nine-member court. The first woman in the court's history was Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. She retired in 2005. Kagan's swearing-in marks the first time three women will serve on the court at the same time.

At 50, Kagan is young for the lifetime post. She could help shape the high court's decisions for decades. But the new justice isn't expected to alter the present balance of the court. Her views are much like Stevens', the justice she is replacing. The court continues to be made up of five justices who usually agree with the Republican Party and four justices who usually agree with the Democratic Party.

What kinds of decisions will Justice Kagan make? Kagan said she believes the court is responsible for making sure the government protects every person's rights. "The court must…recognize the limits on itself and respect the choices made by the American people," she said.

Dictionary
Constitution
(noun)
the set of rules that the U.S. is run by
oath
(noun)
a promise
retired
(adjective)
when a person is no longer working
Solicitor General
(noun)
a lawyer who decides the position that the United States will take in a Supreme Court case
swear in
(verb)
to have someone make a serious promise when taking a government job

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