Post by Shadow on Sept 13, 2005 18:08:14 GMT -5
AP News
Sep 12, 8:46 AM (ET)
By JESSE J. HOLLAND
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate Judiciary Committee opens its hearings today on John Roberts' nomination to the Supreme Court.
Less than three years after first donning a judge's robe, John Glover Roberts Jr. is on a path toward speedy confirmation for becoming, at age 50, chief justice of the United States.
A turbulent week that included the funeral of William H. Rehnquist, his mentor and the man he hopes to replace, his renomination by President Bush for chief justice and controversy over the government's tardy response to Hurricane Katrina has not dampened Roberts' candidacy to join the Supreme Court.
Republicans and Democrats see no serious obstacle to Roberts' confirmation. Liberal, civil rights, civil libertarian and abortion rights groups have come out against him but not one of the Senate's 100 members has declared opposition.
"I expect these hearings will show that you have the appropriate philosophy to lead our nation into the future," said Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, and a Judiciary Committee member, in a written copy of his opening statement.
The committee was to open what is expected to be a four- or five-day hearing Monday. How Roberts answers questions from the panel's 18 members about his record as a conservative lawyer in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations will play heavily into the confirmation vote by the full Senate, expected before the end of September. The Supreme Court begins a new term Oct. 3.
Sep 12, 8:46 AM (ET)
By JESSE J. HOLLAND
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate Judiciary Committee opens its hearings today on John Roberts' nomination to the Supreme Court.
Less than three years after first donning a judge's robe, John Glover Roberts Jr. is on a path toward speedy confirmation for becoming, at age 50, chief justice of the United States.
A turbulent week that included the funeral of William H. Rehnquist, his mentor and the man he hopes to replace, his renomination by President Bush for chief justice and controversy over the government's tardy response to Hurricane Katrina has not dampened Roberts' candidacy to join the Supreme Court.
Republicans and Democrats see no serious obstacle to Roberts' confirmation. Liberal, civil rights, civil libertarian and abortion rights groups have come out against him but not one of the Senate's 100 members has declared opposition.
"I expect these hearings will show that you have the appropriate philosophy to lead our nation into the future," said Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, and a Judiciary Committee member, in a written copy of his opening statement.
The committee was to open what is expected to be a four- or five-day hearing Monday. How Roberts answers questions from the panel's 18 members about his record as a conservative lawyer in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations will play heavily into the confirmation vote by the full Senate, expected before the end of September. The Supreme Court begins a new term Oct. 3.