Following the announcement by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) that he will oppose Senate confirmation of Chief Justice nominee John Roberts, People For the American Way President Ralph G. Neas had the following statement:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is providing principled leadership. Senator Reid made clear today that Judge Roberts failed to adequately address the serious concerns that his record raised about his commitment to Americans’ civil rights protections. We hope that Senator Reid’s colleagues will reach the same conclusion, and take the same strong stand, after reviewing Roberts’ record and evasive and misleading testimony.

The Majority Leader’s action sends a clear message to President Bush as he considers his nominee for the vacancy created by the retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The Senate will not rubber-stamp a nominee who has not demonstrated a commitment to upholding privacy, civil rights, women’s rights, reproductive choice, and the role of the courts in protecting them. We urge President Bush to select a mainstream nominee who can earn broad bipartisan support.