Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh told senators Tuesday he would keep an open mind in cases that come before the court and work to preserve the Constitution and the rule of law, in his first set of remarks to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

“The Supreme Court must never be viewed as a partisan institution,” Kavanaugh said. “The justices on the Supreme Court do not sit on opposite sides of an aisle. They do not caucus in separate rooms. If confirmed to the Court, I would be part of a Team of Nine, committed to deciding cases according to the Constitution and laws of the United States. I would always strive to be a team player on the Team of Nine.”