Abortion litmus test: “I am prepared to filibuster, if necessary, any Supreme Court nominee who would turn back the clock on a woman’s right to choose or the constitutional right to privacy.” (6/20/03)
More on litmus test: “I believe that a woman’s right to choose is a constitutional right. I will not appoint anyone to the Supreme Court who will undo that right.” (Statement, 5/20/04)
His appointments: “Any president ought to appoint people to the Supreme Court who understand the Constitution and its interpretation by the Supreme Court. In my judgment, it is and has been settled law that women, Americans, have a defined right of privacy and that the government does not make the decision with respect to choice. Individuals do.” (4/9/03)
On Rehnquist’s nomination: “Justice Rehnquist has consistently – consistently – demonstrated an insensitivity to the rights of minorities, women, children and the poor in our society. He has shown himself to be literally hostile to the principle of racial
desegregation and to fundamental constitutional principles such as the separation of church and state. I believe that Justice Rehnquist’s views are so far outside of a mainstream of legal thought that he is irredeemably handicapped in his demonstrated ability to effectively fulfill the essential role of a Chief Justice as a builder of consensus on the court.” (Senate Floor Speech, 9/17/86)
Voted NO on allowing a confirmation vote on President Bush Circuit Court nominee Miguel A. Estrada for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals (CQ Vote #40: 3/6/03).
Voted NO on allowing a confirmation vote for President Bush Circuit Court nominee Priscilla Owen (Vote #144, 5/8/03).
OPPOSED nominations of: William Rehnquist as Chief Justice, Robert Bork, Clarence Thomas. Supported nominations of: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer.