President Bush on Monday nominated John Roberts to fill the late William Rehnquist’s seat as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Women’s and civil rights groups immediately reaffirmed their opposition to Roberts and called on President Bush to release Roberts’ papers from his time as deputy solicitor general.
“President Bush and John Roberts must be held to the highest standards of openness,” said Ralph Neas, president of People for the American Way. “Senators must be given the truth about Roberts’ judicial philosophy before they vote on whether to confirm him to the highest judicial seat in the nation.”
“As Chief Justice, Roberts would be in the nation’s top judicial leadership position to roll backwards the gains made by women and people of color over the past 40 years.” said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority. “Women have a right to know where this nominee stands. The stakes for a generation of women are too high for the Senate to confirm a stealth nominee.”
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