Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan opened her testimony before the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday by offering condolences following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-Ky., who died Saturday from a ruptured aorta.
"I wish to express the entire court's condolences to his, his sister, the rest of his family, his many friends and colleagues here in the House, in the Senate and elsewhere on behalf of the entire court," Kagan said.
Kagan spent a significant portion of her tribute reflecting on Graham's role in her 2010 confirmation, noting that he was one of only five Senate Republicans to vote in favor of her nomination. Graham's bipartisan support stood out at the time, especially as Supreme Court confirmation votes have become increasingly polarized.
"Not many Republicans vote for the nominees of somebody selected by a Democratic president, and not many Democrats do the same for someone selected by a Republican president," Kagan stated. "And one would not expect, such a cross party, if you will vote, certainly from somebody from a deep red or deep blue state. And yet, Senator Graham voted for me."
She recalled a lengthy conversation with Graham in his office prior to her hearing, during which he took the opportunity to get to know her. Kagan shared that while she did not know Graham well, he would be remembered for his sense of humor, quoting Al Franken as calling him the funniest man in the Senate.
Kagan recounted an exchange during her hearing where Graham asked her what she had done on Christmas the following year, a question that prompted her to share a humorous anecdote. "Many people said to me afterwards, that exchange with Senator Graham was the moment my confirmation was sealed," she said.
She expressed gratitude for Graham's approach to her nomination process, stating, "I want to express my gratitude toward him, not only for his support, but for, approaching the confirmation process, with the kind of seriousness that he did and and the kind of respect he did."
Graham served 23 years in the Senate and eight years in the House of Representatives. He died at age 71. His sister, Darline Graham, was appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to complete his term, which ends in January 2027.
