Justice Elena Kagan recalled this exchange with the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) from her 2010 confirmation hearing as she testified Tuesday before a House panel.
Sen. Graham had asked then-Solicitor General Kagan where she was during the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas Day in 2009.
Ms. Kagan, assuming it was a serious question, began to answer.
"No, I just asked you where you were at on Christmas," Sen. Graham playfully jumped in.
"Like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant," she replied, causing the room to erupt in laughter.
Justice Kagan said Tuesday the exchange "somehow" made her "look funny."
"Many people said to me afterwards that exchange with Sen. Graham was the moment my confirmation was sealed," she told lawmakers.
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