Kennedy questions Roberts on civil rights stance News
Kennedy questions Roberts on civil rights stance

[JURIST] Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) [official website] responded Thursday to documents US Supreme Court nominee John Roberts [Wikipedia profile] produced while working at the Justice Department and White House counsel's office during the Reagan administration, stating they "certainly raise some questions in my mind about his commitment" to civil rights. Specifically, Kennedy commented that Roberts has a "rather cramped view" of the Voting Rights Act [Wikipedia backgrounder]. Also, while working in the White House Roberts argued against legislation that he claimed would "radically expand the civil rights laws to areas never before considered covered." Democrats continue to demand access to more of Roberts' documents, but presidential spokesman Scott McClellan stated earlier this week that documents produced while Roberts was principal deputy solicitor general under George H.W. Bush and in private practice are protected under the attorney-client privilege [JURIST report] and will not be released. AP has more.