Nebraska’s 2 Senators Vote for Roberts

By Jake Thompson

WASHINGTON — Three of four Midlands senators joined a strong bipartisan majority of the U.S. Senate that confirmed John Roberts as chief justice of the Supreme Court to replace the late William Rehnquist.

Voting for Roberts were Republican Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska. Tom Harkin of Iowa was among the 22 senators, all Democrats, who opposed Roberts’ nomination.

“John Roberts is a person of strong intellect, character and judgment,” Hagel said in a statement. “America will be proud of Chief Justice Roberts and the many years of service he will give to America.”

Nelson said, “What came through to me, when I met with him and as I watched his confirmation hearings, was a man with great poise, a deep and thorough knowledge of the law, a love for this country and unmatched integrity. John Roberts is a man deserving of the nomination and deserving of confirmation.”

Harkin, who met privately with Roberts, said he opposed him because he was unsure how Roberts would handle issues involving disabled Americans. Harkin was a key author of the landmark 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act, which provided many civil rights for the disabled.

“Unfortunately, I am not yet persuaded that a Roberts court would protect these rights,” Harkin said.