Judiciary Committee recommends Roberts' confirmation
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday brushed aside civil and privacy rights concerns and backed Bush's nomination of conservative John Roberts to be chief justice of the United States.
On a vote of 13-5, the panel recommended confirmation of Roberts to lead the U.S. Supreme Court by the full Republican-led Senate.
All 55 Senate Republicans are expected to vote for John Roberts' confirmation as Supreme Court chief justice next week.
Democrats who have announced their support for Roberts:
Bill Nelson of Florida, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Tim Johnson of South Dakota, Max Baucus of Montana, Robert Byrd of West Virginia.
Democrats who voted for Roberts on the Judiciary Committee:
Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Herb Kohl of Wisconsin.
Democrats who have announced their opposition:
Harry Reid of Nevada, Barbara Boxer of California, John Kerry of Massachusetts, Jon Corzine of New Jersey, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey.
Democrats who voted against Roberts on the Judiciary Committee:
Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, Joseph Biden of Delaware, Dianne Feinstein of California, Charles Schumer of New York, Dick Durbin of Illinois.
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