Hatch: GOP won't filibuster Kagan

Hatch: GOP won't filibuster Kagan
By Michael O'Brien - 06/28/10 07:39 AM ET

Republicans are unlikely to look to filibuster Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Monday.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), the second-ranking Republican on the committee who has at times served as its chairman, downplayed the likelihood of Republicans looking to block Kagan's nomination, as the Judiciary panel begins hearings on her this morning.

"I don't think anyone's going to do that," Hatch said during an appearance on MSNBC when asked if a filibuster was in order. "After all, there's 59 Democrats, and I suspect there'll be a few Republicans who will vote for her regardless."

While Hatch had miscounted -- he didn't take into account the death of Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) early Monday morning -- Democrats still remain firmly in control of the Senate, with 58 seats under their control. West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III, a Democrat, could also appoint an interim senator in time to vote on Kagan's nomination before the whole floor.

While Republicans have expressed reservations so far about filibustering Kagan, they've ramped up their rhetoric in recent weeks against President Barack Obama's choice to replace the retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) also predicted confirmation for Kagan on Monday morning.

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http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/105805-hatch-gop-wont-filibuster-kagan

GOP bipartisanship at its finest. :sarcasm: off