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| Senate Approval Likely as Roberts Clears Panel, 13-5 |
| 2005-09-23 |
| With its Democrats deeply divided, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved the nomination of Judge John G. Roberts Jr. to be the nation's 17th chief justice, sending it to the full Senate, where confirmation is now virtually assured. Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee listened during a committee mark up hearing on the nomination of Judge John Roberts to be Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. From left, Senators Orrin G. Hatch of Utah, Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and Senator Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont. The 13-to-5 vote, with three Democrats joining 10 Republicans in favor of Judge Roberts, was a defeat for liberal advocacy groups, who waged an aggressive campaign to persuade Democrats to take a strong stand against confirmation. The groups had earlier predicted a party-line vote, but Judge Roberts's strong performance during his hearings last week left Democrats split. |
| Posted by:Fred |