TribBlog: Cornyn Says No to Kagan

In a conference call with reporters today, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, announced that he would not vote to confirm Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court. The Republican sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will hold a hearing to vote on the current solicitor general's nomination on July 20.

Citing Kagan's lack of judicial experience, Cornyn said that he would not support a nominee without knowing she would "protect the fundamental rights written in our constitution" and "not abuse judicial power to impose [her] own policy standards on the American people." Because of her "evasive answers to questions" during the confirmation process, he added, she "has not met the burden of proof I believe is on a nominee to prove they are deserving of the consent of the Senate." However, Cornyn said he believed she would recieve enough votes to make it on the high court even without his nod.