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COPYRIGHT 2005 Congressional Quarterly, Inc.
Original Source: Political Transcript Wire
SENATE MINORITY LEADER DELIVERS REMARKS ON THE SENATE FLOOR CONCERNING THE SUPREME COURT
SEPTEMBER 20, 2005
SPEAKER: U.S. SENATOR HARRY REID (D-NV), SENATE MINORITY LEADER
[*] REID: One of the Senate's most important constitutional responsibilities is to provide advice and consent with respect to a president's nominations. The task is especially important when the nomination is of an individual to be the chief justice of the United States.
No one doubts that John Roberts is an excellent lawyer and a very affable person. But at the end of this process I, frankly, have too many unanswered questions about the nominee to justify a vote confirming him to this enormously important lifetime position.
The stakes for the American people could not be higher. The retirement of Justice O'Connor and the death of Chief Justice Rehnquist have left the Supreme Court in a period of transition. On key issues affecting the rights and freedoms of Americans, the court is closely divided.
If confirmed, Judge Roberts, who is only 50 years old, will likely serve as chief justice and leader of the third branch of the federal government for many decades. The legal authority that we will hand to Judge Roberts by this confirmation vote is awesome. We should only vote to confirm this nominee if we are absolutely positive that he's the right person to hold that authority....
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