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Another non-statement from the Republican Majority for Choice
Alito Nominated to Supreme Court
President Bush named Judge Samuel Alito of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals as his nominee to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, in the wake of Harriet Miers removing her name from consideration. Judge Alito was confirmed to the District Court during the George H.W. Bush administration, and unlike Justice Roberts and Harriet Miers, he has sat on the bench for decisions pertaining to abortion and other choice-related issues. Alito served as assistant to the Solicitor General under President Reagan and as U.S. Attorney for the state ofNew Jersey. He argued twelve cases before the Supreme Court before being confirmed to the 3rd District Court in 1990.
Chairman of the Judiciary Committee Arlen Specter announced Thursday the hearings on Judge Alito's confirmation will January 9th. In the meantime, RMC is carefully reviewing Judge Alito's record on issues of importance to our members. Our preliminary research raises some serious concerns regarding his respect for precedent and judicial philosophy. Judge Alito was the lone dissenter in the 1991 case, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey. In his dissent, Alito argued to uphold abortion restrictions that even the U.S. Supreme Court did not. We have been in contact with moderate Senate leadership and are continuing our investigation. We will keep our membership updated on Judge Alito's nomination as this process continues.
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