FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2005

Contact: Brad Snavely
(517) 374-1171, ext. 104

Michigan Family Forum Urges Fair Confirmation Process

Roberts "well-qualified and deserving of up-or-down vote"

LANSING, Mich. –– Michigan Family Forum Executive Director Brad Snavely today called on Michigan’s U.S. senators, Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, to ensure Judge John Roberts – President Bush's nominee to the Supreme Court – receives a fair hearing and a timely up-or-down vote.

"Next week, John Roberts will come before the Senate Judiciary Committee," Snavely said. "The people of this state fully expect Sens. Levin and Stabenow to do all within their power to provide Judge Roberts with a fair confirmation process. The people of Michigan know that this man is well-qualified for the job and deserving of an up-or-down vote.

"Judge Roberts is a brilliant lawyer and judge who has argued nearly four dozen cases before the Supreme Court," Snavely said. "In addition, Roberts' record and years on the D.C. Court of Appeals indicates that he will strictly interpret the Constitution and not legislate from the bench."

Roberts has received a "well qualified" rating from the American Bar Association, clerked for Chief Justice William Rehnquist, served as associate White House counsel and principal deputy solicitor general and has 26 years experience at the highest levels of trial and appellate practice.

“This country and this state do not approve of the obstructionist tactics we witnessed earlier this year in the form of unprecedented filibusters of the president's judicial nominees," Snavely said. "The voters of Michigan sent Sens. Levin and Stabenow to Washington to represent them – and that constitutional role includes providing 'advice and consent' on judicial nominees.”

"The confirmation vote should be held in plenty of time for Judge Roberts to be seated by the Oct. 3 beginning of Supreme Court's term, if he is confirmed. It is the constitutional duty of our senators to provide nothing less than the thoughtful, respectful confirmation process enjoyed by previous nominees such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg."

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