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Story: President Bush Nominates
Roberts To Be Supreme Court Chief Justice: 09/06/05
Reading Comprehension Questions: 1. Who is John Roberts?
2. How is the position of chief justice different from associate justice?
3. What is a "majority opinion"? Why are opinions important?
4. What is known about Roberts' legal philosophy?
5. Who decides whether the Senate will vote on the Roberts nomination?
6. Who is Arlen Specter and what are his concerns about the current Supreme Court?
7. Who is Patrick Leahy and what is he planning to ask Roberts?
Discussion Questions
(more research might be needed): 2. What are some issues that you predict the courts will have to deal with in the next decade or two? 3. Read, watch or listen to this NewsHour story about the past Supreme Court session: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/jan-june05/scotus_6-28.html List the Supreme Court decisions mentioned. Write down whether you agree or disagree with each decision. There is no way to know exactly how Roberts would have voted, but take a guess from what you've read so far. Would it have changed the final decision? Write a 300-500 word essay on either of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site. |