Roberts the Wrong Choice for Chief Justice
NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Opposes John Roberts' Nomination for Chief Justice
Roberts’ anti-choice, anti-privacy record would jeopardize fundamental rights and freedoms
Madison, WI – NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, the political arm of the state’s pro-choice movement, announced its opposition to President Bush’s nomination of John G. Roberts, Jr. to succeed William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States. Rehnquist died late Saturday evening after a battle with cancer. Roberts had previously been nominated to succeed Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who announced her retirement in July.
The executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, Kelda Helen Roys, expressed condolences for Rehnquist’s family. “Politics aside, our thoughts are with Chief Justice Rehnquist’s family and friends. He will be remembered for his public service and commitment to an independent judiciary.”
“Bush’s nomination of Roberts for Chief Justice poses an even graver threat to our right to privacy. He’s upped the ante, with our fundamental freedoms at risk, and Americans deserve the chance to fully scrutinize Roberts’ record,” said Roys, who is also an attorney. “The stakes are higher now—that’s why the Bush administration must drop its opposition to releasing documents from Roberts’ career as a political lawyer in the first Bush administration. The President owes the public an opportunity to review all pertinent documents. His obstructionism is demeaning and highly inappropriate. What are they trying to hide?”
Roys said the Bush Administration seems determined to force Roberts through without thorough deliberation, even as they continue to withhold thousands of critical documents requested by senators and needed to evaluate Roberts’ fitness for lifetime appointment to the nation’s highest judicial office.
The Chief Justice plays a critical role in setting the direction of the Supreme Court, and his or her decisions have a profound impact on the freedoms and liberties that Americans cherish. “We opposed Roberts’ nomination because of his record of opposition to reproductive rights and medical privacy. Given the unparalleled importance of the Chief Justice position, the American people have a right to all the information about Roberts’ record and legal philosophy,” continued Roys.
Roberts’ clear record of opposition to fundamental freedoms is opposed by two-thirds of Americans. As a top political appointee, Roberts co-wrote a legal brief that advocated for overruling Roe v. Wade, saying it was “wrongly decided,” and he dismissed a fundamental liberty as the “so-called ‘right to privacy.’”
Roys said the passing of Chief Justice Rehnquist and the two Court vacancies come during a great crisis in our nation. “The devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina must have the full attention of our leaders at this time. Rushing Roberts through the confirmation process when Congress and the public are appropriately focusing their attention elsewhere would be improper, and disrespectful to all Americans.”
The Supreme Court powerfully affects the lives of Americans for generations, from Brown v. Board of Education to Bush v. Gore. Every nominee should be thoroughly questioned and each senator given sufficient opportunity to fulfill his or her Constitutional duty to make an independent judgment about that nominee’s fitness to lead the body responsible for safeguarding our fundamental rights and liberties.
Contrary to claims made by the Bush Administration, there is no need to push a nominee through without complete and appropriate Senate deliberation required by the Constitution. Justice John Paul Stevens, who has served on the Court since 1975, will serve as Chief Justice until the Senate confirms a replacement. O’Connor’s retirement was conditional upon confirmation of her successor, and she will sit on the Court until her replacement is confirmed.
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