Senator Kennedy (D-MA), a Judiciary Committee member, offers opening comments at the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Chief Justice Nominee John Roberts. He discusses American values in the context of rights secured by the Court and the role of the Congress and federal government.
Discussion Questions
- What values does Senator Kennedy associate with the United States?
- What does he believe Hurricane Katrina has taught us?
- What specific rights has the Court guaranteed?
- What does he see as the central issue for the Court today?
- What can you infer about his position in the Senate? What were Senator Kennedy’s goals in this opening statement? How do his goals connect with those of the committee?
Keywords
Checks and Balances, Hurricane Katrina, Judicial Theory and Philosophy, Justices, LEGISLATIVE, Nominations and Confirmation, U.S. Senate, U.S. Supreme Court, Values