` ` Roberts has etched himself in history , '' a professor says . A professor says that a vote against Roberts would ' have threatened the court 's legitimacy . The ' ` ` always bends over backwards '' to enforce Congress ' laws , another professor says . Legal scholars expressed little surprise Thursday that the conservative chief justice of the United States -- John G. Roberts Jr. -- proved to be the key vote in upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act . In his confirmation hearing , Roberts vowed he 'd be open - minded and had ` ` no agenda ''
` ` Roberts has etched himself in history , '' a professor says . A professor says that a vote against Roberts would ' have threatened the court 's legitimacy . The ' ` ` always bends over backwards '' to enforce Congress ' laws , another professor says . In his confirmation hearing , Roberts vowed he 'd be open - minded and had ` ` no agenda ''