Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan faced her first day of questioning Tuesday in her confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. In an exchange with Republican Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Kagan admitted defining her political views as “generally progressive” but said they remain separate from her legal decisions.

Elena Kagan: “Senator Sessions, it’s absolutely the case that I have served in two Democratic administrations, and I think —”

Sen. Jeff Sessions: “No, but I’m asking, do you agree with the characterization that you’re a legal progressive?”

Elena Kagan: “Senator Sessions, I honestly don’t know what that label means. I’ve worked in two Democratic administrations. Senator Graham suggested yesterday, and I think he’s right, that you can tell something about me and my political views from that. But as I suggested to you, that my political views are one thing —”

In other testimony, Kagan said she respects legal precedent upholding the right to gun ownership and said she backs the denial of habeas corpus rights to foreign prisoners. The confirmation hearings continue today.