Factoids on Judge John Roberts’ hearing length and amount of questioning
Judge John Roberts testified for approximately 22 hours before the Senate Judiciary Committee, 10 hours longer than William Rehnquist when he became Chief Justice, 5 hours longer than Ruth Bader Ginsburg , and 4 hours longer than Stephen Breyer.
William Rehnquist:
“In nearly 12 hours of answering Senate Judiciary Committee questions, a confident Rehnquist was praised by Republicans while he parried aggressive questioning from Democrats about his public and private life.” (Richard Carelli, “Despite Democratic Questions, Rehnquist’s Confirmation Prospects Look Strong,” The Associated Press, 8/1/86)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee for approximately 17 hours. (C-SPAN Store Videos Of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hearing, www.c-spanstore.org, Accessed 9/15/05)
Stephen Breyer:
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS): “Just for reference because people like statistics and records, Judge [Stephen] Breyer was 18 hours and he was through.” (C-SPAN 3’s “Judge Roberts Confirmation Hearings,” 9/14/05, 6 p.m.)
John Roberts:
John Roberts testified for approximately 22 hours before the Senate Judiciary Committee. (Committee On The Judiciary, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 9/13-9/15/05)
Judge Roberts has answered many more questions than Justice Ginsburg:
Throughout her Supreme Court nomination hearings, Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg only answered 216 questions. (Transcript Of hearings on the nomination of Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 7/20/93 – 7/22/93)
Throughout his Supreme Court nomination hearings, Judge John G. Roberts answered at least 510 questions. (Transcript Of Fourth Day Of Hearings on the Nomination of Judge John Roberts, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 9/15/05)