The Senate Judiciary Committee held its second day of hearings on the appointment of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court seat vacated by the retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens. In the first round of questioning, senators were allotted 30 minutes each. Part 4 contained questions by Senators Cornyn and Durbin.
Senator Cornyn focused on the Second Amendment, the role of the federal government, and Miguel Estrada (whose Court of Appeals nomination was filibustered in 2003 by Senate Democrats to prevent a final confirmation vote). Senator Durbin questioned her on mandatory sentences and disparities in crack and powder cocaine offender sentences.