Senate easily confirms Roberts as chief justice
- Oct 14, 2005 -
The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly confirmed John Roberts as chief justice of the United States Sept. 29, only four days before he began presiding over oral arguments on the first day of the Supreme Court’s new term.
Senators voted 78-22 to confirm Roberts, making him the 17^th^ chief justice in U.S. history. Half of the Senate’s 44 Democrats joined all 55 Republicans and an independent in confirming the federal appeals court judge to the country’s top judicial position.
Swearing-in ceremonies for the new chief justice were held the same day as his confirmation. Roberts, 50, replaces William Rehnquist, who died Sept. 3 after a lengthy battle with thyroid cancer. Rehnquist had been chief justice since 1986.
Roberts possesses “the judicial philosophy, intellect and dedication to be one of the great chief justices in our history,” ERLC President Richard Land said after the Senate vote. “Chief Justice Roberts’ sterling performance in his confirmation hearings caused deep division among Democratic senators, many of whom were duly impressed while others felt an obligation to the radical, liberal interest groups who support them to oppose a marvelously qualified and gifted nominee.”
Land commended the Senate for “an orderly and judicious confirmation process. We can all hope that such behavior will become a habit in the future.”
Among the liberal Democrats who voted to confirm Roberts were Sens. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Carl Levin of Michigan, Patty Murray of Washington and Ron Wyden of Oregon.
Roberts had served on the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals since 2003. He was a clerk for Rehnquist in 1980-81.
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