By Bob Turner

(AXcess News) Washington - The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, which goes before the full Senate for a vote.

Every Republican on the Committee had voted against Kagan's nomination, though Democrats outweighed their GOP constitutents in approving the woman who has no experience as a judge to hold the highest position in the U.S. court system as a Supreme Court judge.

Calling it a bipartisan decision, Obama defended the Committee's final vote saying, "Elena Kagan is one of this country’s leading legal minds, and has shown throughout this process that, if confirmed, she would be a fair and impartial Supreme Court Justice."

Ranking Committee Republican, Senator Orrin Hatch (Utah), opposed Kagan's nomination and shortly before Tuesday's vote said, "Ms. Kagan's record shows that she supports an activist judicial philosophy and her personal and political views drive her legal views."

Sen. Hatch's "No" vote was the first time in 32 years that the Utah lawmaker has voted against a Supreme Court nominee.  It should be noted that Hatch had voted for Kagan's nomination as Solicitor General.

Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) had just the opposite opinion of Elena Kagan.

"Ms. Kagan demonstrated an impressive knowledge of the law and fidelity to it," Committee Chairman said. "She spoke of judicial restraint, her respect for our democratic institutions and her commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law."

The Senate is slated to vote on Kagan's nomination before its August recess.