Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Roberts 13-5

There were no major surprises in Thursday's vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee as the nomination of Judge John G. Roberts was recommended by a 13-5 vote. Three Democrats joined the 10 Republicans on the committee in supporting Roberts' nomination.

Roberts' nomination will now be sent to the entire Senate for a vote next week. It is almost assured that he will be confirmed and will be sworn in before the Supreme Court opens its new session on October 3.

The five Democrats who opposed Roberts' nomination were Dianne Feinstein of California, Joseph Biden of Delaware, Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, Charles Schumer of New York and Dick Durbin of Illinois.

Feinstein explained the reason for her opposition to Roberts. 'I knew as little about what Judge Roberts really thought about issues after the hearings as I did before the hearing. This makes it very hard for me. I cannot in good conscience cast a 'yea' vote,' she said. 'I will cast a 'no' vote.'

Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, one of the three Democrats to vote yes on Roberts said, 'I will vote my hopes today and not my fears.' Wisconsin's Russell Feingold and Patrick Leahy of Vermont were the other Democrats voting yes.

Meanwhile, today's vote was already being overshadowed by the question of who Mr. Bush will nominate to replace the retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Experts expect that Democrats will mount a stronger opposition to any ultra-conservative nominee set chosen by the President rather than the token opposition faced by Roberts.