As the Senate Judiciary Committee opened confirmation hearings for John Roberts, the nominee for Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, the ACLU urged Senators to fully probe his record, legal and judicial philosophy, and his potential role on the court -- the final protector of civil liberties.

"There are many troubling spots in Roberts' incomplete record, and Senators must fulfill their constitutional obligation by asking the tough questions," said Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director. "The Supreme Court is the final arbiter on the important civil liberties and civil rights issues facing our nation, and this vacancy comes at a crucial time."

In a recent report, the ACLU analyzed the nominee's civil rights and civil liberties record, which remains incomplete due to a lack of full government disclosure. But what is known about Roberts' record raises serious concerns about his commitment to affirmative action, upholding Roe v. Wade, the First Amendment, gender equality, habeas corpus and the ability of people to go to court to protect their rights. As a politically appointed principal deputy solicitor general, Roberts authored briefs calling for Roe v. Wade to be overruled, supporting school prayer, and seeking to criminalize flag burning as a form of political protest. While the Supreme Court ruled against all of these positions, it remains closely divided on the underlying issues.

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