Specter Has Plans for Roberts

Specter Hints at What Roberts Can Expect - Judiciary Panel Will Probe Nominee's Views on High Court's 'Judicial Activism'
By Charles Babington, Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 24, 2005; Page A16

The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman warned Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts Jr. yesterday to expect tough questions about the court's "judicial activism" and lack of respect for Congress.

The comments mark the second time this month that Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) has signaled plans to use Roberts's confirmation hearing as a forum for sharply criticizing what Specter describes as the high court's tendency to denigrate Congress's thoroughness and wisdom in passing various laws. Specter's questions could present Roberts with the difficult choice of disagreeing with the committee chairman or rebuking justices he hopes will soon be his colleagues. The committee's hearing begins Sept. 6...