Justice Elena Kagan recalled a humorous exchange with the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) during testimony on Tuesday [1].
The moment served as a tribute to Graham following his death, highlighting a rare instance of bipartisan cooperation during a high-stakes judicial confirmation process.
Speaking before the House Appropriations Committee on the Capitol floor on July 14 [1], Kagan recounted a specific interaction from her 2010 Supreme Court confirmation hearing [2]. During that proceeding, Graham asked Kagan where she had been on Christmas Day 2009 [2].
Kagan responded to the question with a joke about her heritage. "Like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant," she said [3].
Graham replied, "No, I just asked you where you were at on Christmas" [3].
Kagan used the memory to illustrate the professional and personal respect she held for the senator. She noted that Graham was the only Republican who voted for her during the 2010 process [4].
"His support meant a lot," Kagan said [4].
The 2010 exchange took place before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C. [1]. While the original questioning touched upon the date of a 2009 terrorist attack [2], Kagan focused on the levity of the interaction during her remarks this week.
Kagan's testimony on Tuesday was scheduled as part of the House Appropriations Committee's proceedings [1]. The Justice used the platform to acknowledge the impact Graham had on her career and the broader political landscape of the U.S. judiciary.
“"Like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant."”
The tribute underscores the historical significance of cross-party support for Supreme Court nominees. By highlighting Graham's role as the sole Republican vote in her confirmation, Kagan emphasizes a period of judicial appointments that differed from the current highly polarized environment of the U.S. Senate.
