Senate Democrats today pledged to examine the views of Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas on abortion and other divisive issues while Republicans supported the nominee and defended his right to remain silent on issues that might come before the court. The two sides are locked in a bitter battle over whether Thomas, who was nominated by President George W. Bush last year, should be confirmed as an associate justice or denied because he has been accused of sexual The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to begin confirmation hearings in September. ; Judiciary Committee Chairman Joseph Biden, D-Del.; Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, D-Maine; and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., all promised a thorough review of the nomination.; Confirmation hearings are expected to begin after Congress' August recess. Thomas, an unabashed conservative, would succeed the court's leading liberal and first and only black justice.
Senate Democrats today pledged to examine the views of Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas on abortion and other divisive issues while Republicans supported the nominee and defended his right to remain silent on issues that might come before the court. The two sides are locked in a bitter battle over whether Thomas, who was nominated by President George W. Bush last year, should be confirmed as an associate justice or denied because he has been accused of sexual The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to begin confirmation hearings in September. Thomas, an unabashed conservative, would succeed the court's leading liberal and first and only black justice.