Jeanne Shaheen: “I am pleased to join my colleagues, Senators Stabenow and Klobuchar, in supporting the nomination of Elena Kagan to be…”

“I am pleased to join my colleagues, Senators Stabenow and Klobuchar, in supporting the nomination of Elena Kagan to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. However, before addressing the nomination of Elena Kagan, I wish to echo the remarks of Senator Stabenow about the need to look at the legislation that is going to come before us in a few minutes. My colleague, Senator Barrasso, talked about wanting to help those people who are most in need of health care. One of the best ways we can do that is to pass the legislation pending before this body which includes an extension of Medicaid benefits, which is so important to States and to the people who are most in need, who have the least ability to get health care. I hope that as our colleagues are thinking about how they can support health care for Americans, they will support this legislation and make sure we extend Medicaid benefits for people throughout the States. Turning to the Elena Kagan nomination, I am extremely pleased that President Obama has selected a woman with such impressive and unique credentials to serve on the Nation's highest Court.”