Roberts Confirmed as Youngest Chief Justice in 200 Years

By David Brody
Capitol Hill. Correspondent

CBN.com – WASHINGTON - John Roberts is now the 17th chief justice of the United States.

He was sworn in at a White House ceremony Thursday afternoon. The oath of office was administered by Justice John Paul Stevens, the court's senior member and acting chief justice since the death of William Rehnquist.

The Senate confirmed Roberts to the lifetime appointment by a wide margin.

You could tell it was an historic occasion.

"The clerk will call the roll."

With that announcement, each senator stood up at his or her desk to say whether or not they would vote for Roberts to be the 17th chief justice of the United States.

Republicans said all along that Democrats would be playing partisan politics if they voted against Roberts, who proved he was smart, modest, and fair during his confirmation hearing.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) remarked, "John Roberts has fulfilled his obligation to the Senate. And now it's time to fulfill our obligations to the American people… It's time for each of us to answer: Is John Roberts the right person for the job for chief justice of the United States?"

Roberts watched at the White House as the Senate roll was called. When the final vote came, many Democrats voted for President Bush's nominee.

Bush came into the room to congratulate him as the count went over the needed 51 votes.

"On this vote, the ayes are 78. The nays are 22. The nomination of John G. Roberts Jr. of Maryland, to be chief justice of the United States is confirmed," announced Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK).

"We were allowed an up-or-down vote on a qualified nominee,” Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) commented. “That's the way it should be, and that's the way I believe it needs to be, for all judicial nominees -- including the next person that comes forward."

As for the Democrats, they were left to ponder the future: a Supreme Court with Roberts in the center seat.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) stated, "John Roberts may well prove to be a fine Supreme Court justice. I hope that he does, and if so, I will happily admit that I was wrong in voting against his confirmation."

The Buffalo, New York native is the youngest chief justice in 200 years

Roberts’ first day on the Supreme Court will be this coming Monday, October 3. Many legal experts say that this new term will be one of the most important and controversial ever.

The new chief justice is going to rule on issues such as abortion, the right to die, and the free exercise of religion. Conservatives and liberals both wait with anticipation.

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