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Roberts Nomination Poses Threat for People with Disabilities

(August 2, 2005) - The nomination of John Roberts for the Supreme Court vacancy created by Justice O’Connor’s retirement poses serious concerns for people with disabilities. As judge, private lawyer, assistant White House counsel, special assistant to the Attorney General and deputy Solicitor General, Roberts has repeatedly argued to narrow the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other civil rights laws, to greatly limit the powers that allow Congress to pass civil rights laws and to limit remedies under civil rights laws.

In hearings scheduled to begin September 6, the Senate Judiciary Committee will question Roberts about his record. The committee’s members and all Senators need to learn more about his views on civil rights with disabilities before being asked to confirm his nomination to the Supreme Court.

Read Roberts’ Record on Disability Rights

Civil Rights and the Americans with Disabilities Act: Protections for People with Mental Disabilities

Take action

Between now and Labor Day, visit or call each of your Senators at the home office nearest you (find it at congress.org). Ask the Senator to look closely at John Roberts’ positions on civil rights and consider how the presence on the Supreme Court of someone with Roberts’ record would affect the rights of their constituents who have mental or physical disabilities.

In particular, if one or both of your Senators serve on the Judiciary Committee, urge them to question Roberts about the decisions summarized here. You can find the members on congress.org.

Print the summary of his record from the Bazelon Center’s website and take or send it to your Senators.

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