July 27, 2005
Washington, D.C. - Judicial Confirmation Network (www.judicialnetwork.com) Counsel Wendy E. Long issued the following statement regarding today's announcement by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) that he would vote against Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts if Roberts will not commit to vote in favor of abortion in any case to come before the Court in the future:
"Senator Leahy has now announced that he will specifically apply the litmus test on abortion that others, like Senator John Kerry, have previously threatened.
"Leahy essentially says that unless Judge Roberts will swear in advance to strike down any statute that provides something short of complete abortion on demand, for all nine months of pregnancy, up until the moment of birth, for any reason, he will vote against Judge Roberts' confirmation.
"First this week, we heard once again about Senator Durbin's religious litmus test, under which he seeks to bar judicial nominees who are faithful Catholics. Now we have Senator Leahy saying unless a nominee promises to enforce abortion on demand in all instances, he cannot sit on the Supreme Court.
"Leahy is, for example, asking Judge Roberts to prejudge the federal partial birth abortion statute that will come before the Court this term and in essence promise his vote against it to Senator Leahy, as though this were some sort of political campaign.
"These litmus tests for Justices are completely improper. They undermine the independence of the Supreme Court, and most Americans find this playing politics with the Supreme Court repugnant. It just goes to show how out of touch these Senators are with mainstream America."
To schedule an interview with Gary Marx or Wendy E. Long of the Judicial Confirmation Network, please call Mike Russell, ext. 109 at 703-683-5004.
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