Roberts appointment confirmed
2005-09-29 22:02
Washington - John Roberts, President George W Bush's nominee to become Supreme Court chief justice, gained easy Senate confirmation on Thursday to become the US high court's 17th chief justice.
Roberts was approved by a vote of 78 to 22, with all of the Senate's Republicans voting in lockstep to support the nominee.
Top Senate Republican Senator Bill Frist said Roberts has the makings to become one of America's truly great chief justices.
"Judge Roberts possesses the qualities that Americans expect in the chief justice of its highest court, and the qualifications that America deserves," he said in comments made on the Senate floor moments before the vote.
"Without a doubt, he is the brightest of the bright ... He is committed to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution ... He will be fair and open-minded," Frist said.
- SAPA