Elena Kagan Confirmation
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

Solicitor General Elena Kagan has been nominated by President Obama to replace Justice John Paul Stevens upon his retirement. The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to send Kagan's nomination to the full Senate.
 
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke about Solicitor General Kagan when her nomination was announced: "I believe that through her confirmation process, Elena Kagan will demonstrate that her primary allegiance is to fairness, justice and the rule of law, not ideology. When Solicitor General Kagan is confirmed, the Supreme Court will have three sitting female Justices for the first time - a historic occurrence that is long overdue."

• Judiciary Committee - Latest updates on schedule and materials
• YouTube Channel - Video highlights from the Kagan nomination

Wall Street Reform

May 20, 2010 —Following the 2008 financial crisis, Senate Democrats resolved to pursue bold action to rein in Wall Street's greedy, reckless practices and protect consumers. Shortly before the Memorial Day recess, Senate Democrats led the effort to pass the Restoring American Financial Stability bill, which brings accountability to Wall Street and creates a sound foundation to grow our economy and create jobs. "To Wall Street, it says: no longer can you recklessly gamble away other people's money," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "To Main Street, this bill says: you no longer have to fear that your savings, your retirement or your home are at the mercy of greedy gamblers in big banks."

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First Bill in the Senate Jobs Agenda Passes with Bipartisan Support

February 24, 2010 —Following the passage of the Senate's first jobs bill, the HIRE Act, Democratic Senators heralded the vote as a signal that the Senate's jobs agenda is on the right track. "Today's progress is a small, but important step forward," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Highlighting efforts by both Democrats and Republicans to pass the bill, Sen. Chuck Schumer said, "To focus on jobs and to do it in a bipartisan way is what the American people are asking us to do and today we've started down that road," said Sen. Chuck Schumer.

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Senate Passes Health Care Reform: A Victory for the American People

December 24, 2009 —The United States Senate witnessed an historic moment this morning, as 60 Democratic Senators cast their votes in favor of passing health reform legislation. This bill's passage has been supported by at least six decades of advocacy from supporters of reform who understand the cost of inaction on this critical issue. Noting the historic nature of this morning's vote, Senator Chris Dodd remarked, "This is the most important bill to improve the economic security of our middle class in a generation. And none of us will ever cast a more important vote." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid - who led his colleagues through months of deliberations said, "For thousands of Nevadans and millions of Americans, this is not just a remarkable moment in the history of the country - this news is truly life-changing. We are a step closer to promoting a health system that values quality of care over profit. I look forward to working with our friends in the House so we can send a final bill to President Obama as soon as possible."

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Introducing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

November 19, 2009 —Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today announced the Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the Senate health care bill - the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -- highlighting the expansion in coverage and reduction to the federal deficit. This legislation will cut the deficit by $127 billion, extend coverage to more than 94% of Americans and insure 31 million more of the uninsured. This bill, "saves lives, saves money and protects Medicare. Not only do we make health insurance affordable for every American, we certainly do it in a fiscally responsible way," said Reid.

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