Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken back Elena Kagan for Supreme Court

Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken

U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken voiced strong support this morning for President Barack Obama's nomination this morning of Solicitor General Elena Kagan as the next justice for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Both senators sit on the judiciary committee, which will host Kagan's confirmation hearings.

"She's spent time in government, in private practice, as a professor, and as the first woman dean of [Harvard] law school," Klobuchar said in a statement. "Over the years she has developed a reputation as a person who brings people together despite their ideological differences. She has shown herself to be a true leader. Like former Chief Justice Rehnquist, she comes to the court with experiences different than those of a judge. I think it is healthy for the court to have one at least Justice from outside what has been termed the 'judicial monastery."

Franken also heaped praise on Kagan in an official statement.

"Elena Kagan is a brilliant and superbly qualified nominee," he said. "I feel honored to serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee. The confirmation hearings for a Supreme Court Justice are among our greatest responsibilities, and once again I will prepare for them with care. As with Justice Sotomayor's confirmation, I will be seeking the opinions of some of Minnesota's best legal minds before I ask my questions."

We're looking forward to seeing if Franken can stump Kagan on "Perry Mason" trivia, the way he did with Sotomayor.